Boy drowns trying to rescue friends

T'puram: The body of a 15-year-old boy, who jumped into the sea to rescue two friends, was recovered from the Veli coast on Monday morning.The deceased was identified as Joshuva of Thumba. According to police, Joshuva went to beach along with his friends, Raino and Emmanuel, both aged 15 and residents of Thumba, to bathe in the sea on Sunday. Police said Raino and Emmanuel entered the water first but soon got trapped in strong currents. Seeing them struggle, Joshuva jumped into the sea. However, all three were caught in the rough waters. Hearing their cries for help, locals rushed to the spot and managed to pull Raino and Emmanuel to safety. Joshuva, however, was swept away by the current and went missing. Officials said the area where the teenagers were bathing is considered dangerous due to strong undercurrents and sudden changes in sea conditions. Police urged public to avoid entering the sea at unguarded or risky locations. Following the incident, personnel from Vizhinjam coastal police, Thumba police and fire and rescue services launched a search operation on Sunday evening. The search continued Monday morning when fishermen spotted the body near the coast and alerted authorities. Police took custody of body and shifted it to MCH for autopsy.