Mother and Son Drown in Rip Current at Puri’s C.T. Beach
Puri, Odisha: A family vacation turned tragic at Chakra Tirtha (C.T.) beach in Puri on Saturday when Kusum Gupta and her son Ankit Gupta, residents of Ranchi, Jharkhand, drowned after being swept away by a powerful rip current.
According to eyewitnesses, the family was bathing near the Pink House stretch of the beach when Kusum was suddenly pulled into deep waters.
In a desperate attempt to save her, Ankit rushed in but was also caught by the current.
Despite immediate rescue efforts by private lifeguards and local fishermen, both were retrieved unconscious and declared dead upon arrival at Puri District Headquarters Hospital.
The incident has sparked grief among tourists and locals alike, with many demanding stricter safety measures at C.T. beach.
Concerns over inadequate deployment of trained lifeguards have resurfaced, as similar mishaps have occurred in the past.
Authorities have once again urged visitors to remain cautious, avoid swimming during high tide, and restrict bathing to designated safe zones.
Experts warn that rip currents are common along Odisha’s coastline and pose serious risks to untrained swimmers.
