Two people drowned in the Arabian Sea off the Marine Drive sea face on Saturday afternoon. While the body of a 22-year-old was recovered several hours later, search is still on for the other.
Rushed to rescue
According to civic officials, the incident occurred at 2.15 p.m. near the Marine Lines railway station. Several people at the sea face first saw a boy getting trapped in the waves and then a youth rushing in to save him but getting trapped as well. Eyewitnesses informed the authorities, and the Fire Brigade and the Marine Drive police rushed teams to the spot. Help was also sought from divers from the Indian Navy.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Abhishek Trimukhe said that rescue teams initially found their work hampered due to the high tide. “Owing to the high tide, the Fire Brigade was unable to enter the sea at first. When the sea calmed down, ropes were thrown into it and one of the two, identified as Javed Khan (22), caught on to them but could not hold on for a long time,” Mr. Trimukhe said.
Khan’s body was recovered at 7.15 p.m. and sent to the GT Hospital for post-mortem examination. Later in the night, police identified the second boy as Sahil Khan (12), a Nagpada resident. “He was lying on promenade facing the sea while his friends were facing the road. A high wave pulled him into the water while his friends were thrown on promenade,” Mr. Trimukhe said. Rescue teams are still conducting search operations to locate him.
The police are also inquiring into how the two managed to enter the water despite regular patrolling in order to prevent such incidents. Since the onset of the monsoon, additional personnel have been deployed at all beaches and sea faces in the city, with particular focus on safety of the people during high tide. The police are scanning CCTV camera footage of the spot.
An Accidental Death Report has been registered at Marine Drive police station.
