Chikiti: A youth went missing Sunday at Sunapur beach in Ganjam district while bathing in the sea with three of his friends.
The missing youth has been identified as Amit Pradhan, 18, of Liakhai village under K Nuagaon panchayat in Chikiti block.
Despite a search operation launched by the fire service, he had not been traced till Sunday evening. Police said Amit and his friends Rajesh Pradhan, 19, Ashish Pradhan, 18, and Deepak Pradhan, 22, all residents of the same village, had travelled by bus to Sunapur beach for an outing.
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While bathing, the rising tide swept them away. Rajesh, Ashish and Deepak were rescued, but Amit could not return to shore. The three survivors alerted local home guards, following which the Berhampur fire service and marine police rushed to the spot and launched a search.
Locals alleged that there were no safety measures in place at the beach. Earlier, home guards had been deployed through the forest protection committee, they said, claiming that at present none are stationed there. They also claimed that unauthorised individuals were collecting fees from visitors even though the beach remained poorly maintained.
PNN