Puri: A potential tragedy was averted at Swargadwar sea beach in Odisha’s Puri on Monday morning after five tourists were swept away by a giant wave around 8.30 am while bathing in the Sector 10 area.
All five, identified as Swati Kanoji, Bhavana Kanoji, Shikha Kanojit, and Khageswar Kanoji from Chhattisga
rh, and Krishna Kanoji from Maharashtra, were rescued and brought safely to shore.
According to sources, alert lifeguards, Mahendra Behera, P Tirupati, K D Behera, and A Bhagwan, who were stationed nearby, acted swiftly as the group struggled against the current after being dragged deep into the waters by a sudden strong wave. They entered the waters with their equipment and pulled them back to shore.
The rescued tourists were administered first aid on the beach before being taken for medical check-ups to ensure their well-being. All five are now out of danger, sources added.
This comes over a week after a 48-year-old woman and her 23-year-old son from Ranchi drowned while bathing in the sea at Puri.