3 boys drown to death in sea near Tuticorin

Tuticorin: Three boys died after drowning in the sea on Monday evening in Tuticorin district.The deceased were identified as Thirumani, 14, Mukendran, 12, and Naren Karthik, 13, all residents of Geethajeevan Nagar near Thalamuthu Nagar in Tuticorin.According to the police sources, a group of nine boys went to take a bathe at the Mottai Gopuram beach area at around 4pm. When they reportedly went deeper into the sea, they started drowning.On seeing the boys struggling for help, nearby fishermen went to their rescue and brought back eight boys to the shore. Unfortunately, Thirumani and Karthik died on the spot due to suffocation, while Mukendran was pulled into the sea.On information, Tharuvaikulam marine police rushed to the spot and commenced a search operation for Mukendran. After nearly one hour of search operation, his body washed ashore 100m away from the incident spot.Police recovered the three bodies and sent them to the Tuticorin govt hospital for autopsy.The Tharuvaikulam marine police have registered a case.