Mangalore, Oct 6: In a tragic incident, five teenage boys, who ventured into sea for a swim on Sunday afternoon near Baddodi Kudru GMR Power Plant at Phalguni river near Dambel on the outskirts of the city, were washed away.
The drowned boys have been identified as Kalandar (16), Rajesh (17), Rakshit (14), Yakshit (14) and Prajwal (17). All are residents of Kodikal Katte in Mangalore and were neighbours. Tragedy struck as eight friends on weekend went on a pleasure swim at the spot.
After the meals, all of them played in a ground in the neighbourhood before venturing into Phalguni river at Dambel Padukodi, situated, one and half kilometres from their houses.
Though they did not know to swim, tried taking dive in the river which proved fatal.
Bodies of Kalandar and Prajwal were retrieved off the sea, said police.
However, three of them-Dhanush, Jagadish and Maarimuthu- stayed away from the water playing on the banks of river.
Dhanush who saw his friends diving to death right in front of his eyes said that he was playing on the banks of river along with Jagadish and Maarimuthu while Rakshith, Yakshith, Prajwal, Rajesh and Kalander were trying to dive in the water.
First Rakshith drowned and all of them rushed to rescue him but the gushing water washed them away, he explained in teary eyes.
“Immediately we ran to the huts situated on the banks of river and informed them on the incident,” he said.
Rakshith is a tenth standard student and was only son of his parents had lost his father while Yakshith and Prajawal were studying in ninth standard at Ganapathy High School in Mangalore. Yakshith was also only son of his parents.
Rajesh was working as a carpenter and Kalander was working as a daily wage labourer.
None of them had informed their parents about venturing into sea.
A case has been registered. The fire service personnel and divers launched search operation for the three other bodies.
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