A New Year's Day celebration turned into a tragedy in Thiruvananthapuram as a 37-year-old man lost his life to the sea. The incident occurred at Valiyathura beach on Thursday, casting a pall over the festive atmosphere.
A Fatal Swim in Strong Waves
The victim, identified as Aneesh Jose, a resident of Muttathara, had visited the popular beach with his family to welcome the New Year. Around 2:30 PM, while bathing in the sea, he was caught in powerful waves. The strong current pulled him under, leading to a frantic situation.
His wife, Prajeena, raised an immediate alarm. Her desperate cries for help alerted nearby fishermen and other beachgoers, who swiftly initiated a search and rescue operation in the waters.
The Desperate Search and Recovery
During the intensive search near the Valiyathura bridge area, some people who were still in the water reported feeling something brush against their legs. Suspecting it could be the missing man, they focused their efforts on that spot.
Soon after, they located Aneesh and managed to pull him ashore. However, despite their efforts, he was unresponsive by the time he was brought to the beach. All attempts to revive him failed at the scene.
Aftermath and Investigation
The body of Aneesh Jose was shifted to the morgue at the medical college hospital for a mandatory post-mortem examination. After the procedure, his remains were handed over to his grieving relatives.
The Poonthura Coastal police have registered a case and are conducting further investigations into the precise circumstances of the drowning. Official proceedings are currently underway.
Aneesh Jose is survived by his wife, Prajeena, and their young son, Anil. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the hidden dangers of the sea, even at popular tourist spots, and underscores the critical importance of adhering to safety warnings, especially during periods of rough tides.
