Youth drowns off Varkala coast

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 33-year-old man died on Sunday afternoon after he drowned while swimming in the sea off the coast of Papanasam Beach at Varkala.
Police identified thedeceased as Anith Charles (33), residing near Cliff House at Nanthencode in the city.
The police said that the deceased was an employee of the air cargo wing of Thiruvananthapuram airport.He was swimming in the sea with four friends when he was swept away by strong undercurrent.
In fact, one other person, who has been identified as Rajesh of Tamil Nadu, too had been swept away by the waves. However, he managed to swim back to safety. However, Anith was unable to do so.
The five-member group came to Papanasam Beach after attending a friend's marriage at Parippally around 1.30pm. They reportedly got drunk and then dived into the sea.
Around 2.30pm, Anith and Rajesh were caught in the waves. It took another 45 minutes for the lifeguards to pull Anith to the coast and take him to the Government Hospital at Varkala. By 3.15pm, the doctor at the hospital declared him dead on arrival.
The body has been kept in the mortuary of the hospital. It will be handed over to the family on Monday after conducting the autopsy. Anith leaves behind parents Ismail Manohar Lal, Selina Lal and brother Ajith Lal.