Three Class 9 Students Drown After Being Swept Away by Sea Currents at Rushikonda Beach in Visakhapatnam, One Body Recovered

Three Class 9 students drowned after being swept away by strong sea currents at Rushikonda Beach in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on October 2, 2026, according to the Press Trust of India and Latestly. The victims—identified as S. Suryaprakash, Nitish, and Prasanth, all aged 14 to 15 years and residents of the PM Palem and Madhurawada localities—were part of a larger group visiting the coastal stretch during the Gandhi Jayanti public holiday. Police said powerful undercurrents and high surf pulled the three boys into deeper water while they were playing near the IT SEZ junction along the coastline. Rescue teams recovered the body of one student, and search operations continued for the two missing students. Eyewitnesses reported that members of the group had ventured into the sea despite warnings from people on shore about dangerous tide conditions.

The incident highlights recurring drowning fatalities at Visakhapatnam beaches, where over 120 drowning deaths have been recorded in the past three years, with about 55 percent of victims aged 15 to 30 years. Despite the presence of lifeguards, warnings, and community guards hired by the Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation, drowning deaths persist—particularly among young people taking selfies close to the water or ignoring safety advisories during rough seas. The outcome of the search for the two missing students will determine whether families receive closure, while the tragedy renews calls for stricter enforcement of beach safety measures during peak visitor periods.

Sources

Latestly, October 2, 2026, latestly.com | Press Trust of India (via Twitter), October 2, 2026