3 Karnataka pharma students drown at Kerala beach

KOZHIKODE: Three students from Karnataka drowned while swimming at Payyambalam Beach in Kerala's Kannur Sunday, police said. The deceased, aged between 25 and 26, were students of Al Ameen College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru.

According to police, the students entered the sea around 11am when one of them was pulled away by strong currents. The other two drowned trying to rescue their friend. They were part of an eight-member group.

Fishermen and lifeguards launched a search operation. Afnan and Rehanuddin were pulled out within 20 minutes and rushed to the district hospital, where doctors declared them brought dead. Afroz's body was recovered by fishermen after nearly an hour. Locals said the area where the group ventured was not favourable for swimming due to strong undercurrents. They said several people had lost their lives, including a student from Karnataka, last year.