A Class-XII student of the Khandagiri-based Xavier’s School here on Sunday drowned in the sea at Jahania, about 6 km from Astarang in Puri district. The deceased was identified as Pratik Mahapatra.
Sources said students of the school had gone for a picnic. While taking bath with his friends in the sea, Pratik drowned. He was rescued by locals and admitted to the Astarang Primary Health Centre (PHC) and later shifted to the Nimapara Community Health Centre (CHC), where doctor declared him brought dead.
later getting information, his parents rushed to the hospital.
The sources said that while the students were taking bath, no teacher or other school staffs were present to keep a watch on them.
To make matters worse, there were no lifeguards at the sea beach during the incident.
Though a huge number of tourists and locals throng the sea beach, the State Government hasn’t taken any measure for their safety and security.