25-year-old feared drowned at Marve, fishermen rescue brother

A 25-year-old man is suspected to have drowned while his younger brother was rescued after the two went swimming at Marve on Sunday evening.

A 25-year-old man is suspected to have drowned while his younger brother was rescued after the two went swimming at Marve on Sunday evening.

HT Image

The Madh-Marve beach has seen seven incidents of drowning since 2008.

Police said the siblings, Kasam Siddique and his brother, Shabbir, 17, are residents of the Malwani area in Malad (West).

The two went to the beach for a picnic, following which they decided to enter the sea for a swim.

The incident took place around 4pm when they ventured into the deep waters, the police said.

Local fishermen saw the boys struggling with the waves and rushed to help them out of the water.

"There were no lifeguards," said one of the fishermen present at the spot.

While the fishermen saved Shabbir, they could not help Kasam. They then called the fire brigade and the control room.

"The boys went to swim even though the sea here is not meant for swimming. After the fishermen called the fire brigade, they sent their team to help rescue the other brother," said divisional assistant commissioner of police Jaiwant Hargude.

"No lifeguards are designated at Marve by the fire brigade as it is not considered a regular sand beach. Besides, it has been identified as a dangerous location for swimming," said an official from the civic body's disaster management cell.

The police said rescue operation to fish out the youngster's body was in progress.

"We have roped in the coastguard, the fire brigade and also the local fishermen. But, his body has not been found yet. Our rescue work is under way," an officer from Malwani police station.