Karwar: A 12-year-old boy drowned while swimming in the Arabian Sea at Mudga village in Karwar taluk of Uttara Kannada district on Thursday evening.

The deceased was identified as Sonal Argekar (12), a Class 8 student and a resident of Naval Refugee Colony. He had gone to the seashore with his friends as schools were closed on account of the Sankranti festival.

According to the sources, the boy entered the sea to swim but was caught in strong waves and swept into deeper waters, leading to his drowning.

On receiving information, personnel from the Karwar Rural Police Station rushed to the spot and registered a case. Further investigation is underway.