Amaravati, Oct 12 (NationPress) Five university students tragically drowned at a beach in Andhra Pradesh's Bapatla district on Sunday.

Rescue teams successfully retrieved the bodies of three students, while efforts continued for the remaining two.

The tragedy unfolded at Vodarevu Beach in Chirala mandal as a group of students enjoyed a swim.

A day meant for fun turned into a nightmare when powerful waves swept the group away.

According to local police, a total of 10 students from VIT University Amaravati had ventured to Vodarevu Beach for a weekend outing.

Among those washed away were Saketh, Sai Manideep, and Jeevan Sathwik. Despite attempts by local fishermen and skilled swimmers to rescue them, the efforts were unsuccessful, and their bodies later washed ashore.

All three hailed from Hyderabad and were taken to the government hospital in Chirala for autopsy. Families of the students have been notified about this heartbreaking incident. Remarkably, two other students were saved by fishermen.

Authorities are still searching for Somesh and Goutham, a local resident of Chirala.

Search operations are being conducted by personnel from the Police, Fire Services, and Fisheries departments employing dragon lights.

Bapatla district Superintendent of Police, Uma Maheshwar, visited the scene, with senior officials overseeing the search efforts.

Suryalanka and Vodarevu beaches attract a large number of tourists on weekends. Officials noted that despite warnings from local authorities regarding unsafe swimming areas, many still take unnecessary risks.

In a related incident, two police constables bravely put their lives on the line to rescue four young individuals from drowning at Manginapudi Beach near Machilipatnam on the same day.

The young swimmers had been swept away by strong waves.

The constables jumped in, utilizing ropes and tubes to assist in the rescue.

Afterward, police officials counseled the youths, advising against such perilous activities.