Three youths from Vijayawada washed away at Marina Beach in Chennai

VIJAYAWADA: Three youngsters from Vijayawada were washed away while taking a swim at Marina Beach in Chennai on Thursday. The youths were identified as Sura Gopichand (18) from Adaviravulapadu of Nandigama mandal, Vakadani Akash (18) of Mallempadu village and Siva Balaji from Guntur.
According to local police sources, the incident happened on Thursday and came to light on Friday after the dead body of one of the youths was washed ashore.Cops soon identified him as Siva Balaji and learnt that two others were missing.
Chennai police began conducting a search operation across the beach area. Sources said that a group of five friends went to Chennai on February 8 seeking admission at an engineering college. After completing the counselling procedure, they decided to visit Marina Beach.
Cops have shifted Siva Balaji’s body to Royapettah Government Hospital for autopsy. Search operations are still on for the remaining youngsters.