Eight Tourists Drown at Sindhudurg’s Shiroda-Velagar Beach; Rescue Ops Continue
Eight Tourists Drown at Sindhudurg’s Shiroda-Velagar Beach; Rescue Ops Continue
Three bodies recovered, one survivor critical, search for four missing underway
A family picnic turned tragic on Friday evening after eight tourists drowned at Shiroda-Velagar beach in Vengurla taluka of Sindhudurg district. While three bodies have been recovered and one teenager was rescued in critical condition, the search for four others continues.
According to police, the incident occurred around 4 pm when eight members of a family ventured into the Arabian Sea for a swim. The group, which included residents from Belgaum in Karnataka and Kudal in Sindhudurg, reportedly underestimated the depth and strength of the waves. Within minutes, they began struggling in the water.
Locals alerted police and disaster management teams, who launched an immediate rescue operation. Three bodies were recovered and shifted to Shiroda Rural Hospital for post-mortem. A 16-year-old girl was pulled out alive but remains in critical condition under treatment.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Deceased: Mrs. Farhan Irfan Kittur (34), resident of Londa, Belgaum;
Mr. Ibad Irfan Kittur (13), resident of Londa, Belgaum;
Mrs. Namira Aftab Akhtar (16), resident of Allawar, Belgaum. - Survivor: Isra Imran Kittur (17), resident of Londa, Belgaum.
Those still missing have been named as Irfan Mohammad Isak Kittur (36), Ikwan Imran Kittur (15), Farhan Mohammad Maniyar (20) of Kudal, and Zakir Nisar Maniyar (13) of Kudal.
Police, revenue officials, and rural development personnel are jointly coordinating with local search and rescue teams to trace the missing individuals. Rescue operations continued late into the evening, with additional resources expected to be deployed.
The tragedy has cast a pall of grief in the region, with authorities once again urging tourists to exercise extreme caution while venturing into the sea during the ongoing monsoon season, when tides remain unpredictable and dangerous.
