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2 youngsters drown at Versova
A religious rite turned tragic for four youngsters after two of them drowned at the beach near Versova fishermen’s colony on Sunday afternoon.
A religious rite turned tragic for four youngsters after two of them drowned at the beach near Versova fishermen’s colony on Sunday afternoon.
The Versova police said around 3 pm, Kareem Khan, Gulzar Sheikh, Akbar Ansari and Vijay Patel had gone to the beach to immerse objects used in a religious ceremony.
“The boys went too far and drifted away with the wave. It was high tide and they were caught in the current and started to drown,” said Inspector R.M. Gavit.
Khan and Sheikh drowned. “Patel attempted to save them but also started to drown when the life guards saved him,” said Gavit. “Ansari managed to save himself.”
“Rescue operations are on to find the bodies of Khan and Sheikh,” said Gavit.
The boys live at Pakeezah Chawl near Bhavan’s college and are aged between 19 and 22.
“They were childhood friends Khan worked as a construction labourer, while Sheikh was an rickshaw driver,” said Khan’s older brother Mehmood.
Ansari is currently not employed, while Vijay works as part of a film crew.
According to Gavit and the lifeguards, in spite of clear instructions on a board, people do not listen to them and venture too far inside the water, causing such incidents.
