Two youths drown in Arasalar near Thirunallar

Two men drowned while bathing in the Arasalar near Athipadugai, close to Thirunallar in Karaikal, on Sunday evening.

A group of 10 from Karaikal town had gone to bathe in the river. While the group members were in the water, the river’s current reportedly intensified. Nitish, 23, of Nithiswaram, and Arulraj, 23, an electrician, who were part of the group, were washed away. Attempts by their friends to rescue them were in vain.

Fire and Rescue Services personnel launched a search which continued till late in the night. Minister P.R.N.Thirumurugan visited the spot.

With the help of local fishermen, the bodies of the two men were recovered from the river on Monday morning from the same location downstream.

Neravy police sent the bodies to the Karaikal Government Hospital for post-mortem examination. A case has been registered and investigation is under way.