16-year-old drowns in Bhavani while immersing idol

According to police, a group of around 50 persons left Muthunagar in Tirupur to immerse eight idols in the river at Kallipatty near Gobichettipalayam on Saturday evening.

While immersing the idols, Nithish Kumar (22), Soundar (22) and Tamilarasan (16) reportedly waded into deep waters and began to drown.

On hearing their cries, the public managed to rescue Kumar and took him to the Gobichettipalayam Government Hospital for treatment. However, the remaining two were not found.

On receiving information, the fire and rescue service personnel rushed to the spot and carried out a search operation, which had to be suspended due to poor light and heavy rain that lashed the area.

The search process was resumed on Sunday. While the body of Tamilarasan, a Class 11 student, was fished out, Soundar remained untraced till Sunday evening. The Bangalapudur police have registered a case and are investigating into the incident.