Daijiworld Media Network-Bhatkal (RJP)

Updated

Bhatkal, May 29: A 21-year-old girl died after she was pulled away by a giant wave during an unexpected high tide. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon, May 29 at Gokarna beach.

The deceased has been identified as Pranitha Mehta (22). She was from Rajasthan. A group of 5 college friends, 4 girls and 1 boy from Jodhpur Law College in Rajasthan, had come to Gokarna after visiting Mumbai and Goa on Saturday. They had visited the beach on Sunday where the tragedy took place.

As per details of the case, the friends were at Gokarna beach, and were sitting on some rocks which were about 10-15 feet above sea, when due to unexpected high tide, 3 of the youngsters, including the deceased, were pulled away by a giant wave. Two of them were brought back to the shore by another wave, but the deceased, whose glasses had come off, continued to struggle as she held on to a rock for support. Unfortunately, she lost her grip, and was carried towards the deeper end of the sea by the waves.

The friends promptly called the police as well as the management of the hotel they were staying at, and proceeded to seek help from the local residents from a nearby village. By the time they did send some help, about forty minutes had already passed and the deceased was out of sight. She was brought back ashore on a boat by some of the local fishermen, and was pronounced dead by the authorities. Her body was taken for post-mortem and was handed over to her relatives afterwards.

It had earlier been reported that Pranitha died while trying to take a selfie, but it has now emerged that it was not the case.

A case has been registered in Gokarna police station limits.