Tragedy in Palakkad: Coimbatore students caught in river swirl, two dead

Palakkad: A leisure trip turned tragic for a group of students from Coimbatore when two of them drowned at the Shanmugham Causeway in the Chittur River on Saturday. The victims have been identified as Sri Gautham and Arun, both students who had travelled as part of a ten-member group.

According to local authorities, the students were unfamiliar with the location and risks of the area. While taking a swim, Sri Gautham and Arun were caught in a strong swirl and swept away by the current.

Rescue operations were launched immediately after the incident was reported. Sri Gautham’s body was found earlier and taken to the hospital, but doctors were unable to save him. A prolonged search was conducted for Arun, who remained missing for several hours.

The operation was complicated by the river’s strong currents, but coordinated efforts by the fire force, police, and scuba diving teams from Chittur eventually led to the recovery of Arun’s body.