KUMTA: An 18-year-old student drowned in a pond at Jaddekere near Valgalli in Kumta taluk of Uttara Kannada district on Sunday. The deceased has been identified as Prashanth Keshav Mukri, a resident of Gonganakoppa in Hegde village.

According to reports, Prashanth had gone to the pond with his friends for a swim when he reportedly drowned after getting into deeper waters.

On receiving information about the incident, local residents launched a search, while personnel from the Kumta Police and Fire and Emergency Services reached the spot and joined the rescue operation.

During the search, Kumta PSI Qadir Basha himself entered the pond and, along with fire personnel and local swimmers, took part in the operation. After a sustained search, the body of Prashanth was recovered from the pond.

A case has been registered at the Kumta Police Station, and further investigation is underway.