Daijiworld Media Network - Ponda

Ponda, May 11: A leisure outing turned into a tragedy on Sunday after a 21-year-old student from Ladakh, studying at Indian Institute of Technology Goa, went missing and is feared to have drowned in the Okamb rivulet at Dharbandora in South Goa.

The student, identified as Imtiyaz Hussain, was part of a group of around eight friends who had gone on a picnic near the water body located behind the Sanjivani sugar factory. According to officials, the group entered the rivulet for a swim when Hussain suddenly disappeared underwater.

Following the incident, teams from Goa Police along with the fire and emergency services from the Ponda fire station launched an immediate search operation. However, despite efforts throughout the day, the student could not be located until late evening.

Ponda Police Inspector Mohan Gaude confirmed the incident and said search operations were halted due to low visibility and would resume early Monday morning with renewed efforts.

Authorities are continuing to search the rivulet area while also urging caution for visitors near natural water bodies, especially during recreational outings.