Youth had gone to see turtles hatched  from eggs in the sea during turtle festival

BeyondHeadlines Correspondent

RATNAGIRI : Tejas Devravji Durge (20),  a resident of Kothrud and an engineering student drowned in the sea waters at Velas beach in Ratnagiri during the small hours on Saturday.  According to the police, the incident took place on Saturday between   6.30 and 8.30 am at Mandangad area near Velas village coast in Ratnagiri. A case of accidental death has been registered with Mandangad police station on Saturday.

According to the local police, “Tejas along with his elder brother Shreyas (23) had planned visit  to Velas to watch Turtle festival. Last year, they  had come at Velas and this time they thought to be part of it again. On Friday, the brother’s reached Panvel around 10 pm and from Panvel  reached Velas along with eight other friends including two girls. The driver was fast asleep in the SUV while they all went  to the  beach.”

G M Sayeed, head constable attached to Mandangad police station in Ratnagiri,  who is investigating the case said, “On Saturday around 6.30 am they came near the beach.  Taking a  few tips from local residents about the area in which they will be able to see turtles being hatched  from egg . The locals however warned them not to venture far citing deep waters. Four of them who did not heed the advice got trapped and  started drowning. Three of them were rescued but Tejas drowned. His body was fished out after two hours,” he added.