Four youths, including three young women, drowned after being swept away by strong waves while taking selfies at Peddaganagallavanipet beach in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district, according to reports. The incident occurred on Tuesday, when the group visited the beach during the Dasara holiday.
The victims were identified as Kondala Madhavi, 19, from Kenguva village in Vizianagaram district; Gollapalli Pavani, 19, from Ramabhadrapuram; Marri Mahi, 18, from Mavudi village in Parvathipuram Manyam district; and Biddika Vikram, 22, from Vankalagedda village in Parvathipuram Manyam district.
Madhavi, Pavani and Mahi reportedly entered the water while taking selfies. They became stuck in mud at the confluence of the Nagavali river and the sea before being swept away by strong waves. Vikram attempted to rescue the three women but was also swept away, reports said.
The victims were part of a larger group of trainees staying at a hostel in Kotharoddu in Srikakulam town. The 125 trainees, who came from different districts, had joined a marketing agency for job training. Around 100 of them had travelled to their homes for the Dasara holidays, while the remaining 25 stayed at the hostel and visited the beach.
Firefighters began a search operation after authorities received information about the incident. The bodies of Mahi and Pavani were recovered on Tuesday evening. The bodies of Vikram and Madhavi were found near Kunduvanipeta beach on Wednesday.
Police have placed warning boards at the site and declared the area prohibited because of the mud at the river-sea confluence. The restriction marks the location as a known hazard zone, particularly for visitors entering the water near the meeting point of the river and the sea.
The incident has also brought attention to the risks faced by visitors at coastal locations where strong waves, shifting mud and changing water conditions can make rescue attempts difficult. Authorities have not announced any further measures beyond the warning boards and the search operation described in the report.
