4 students drowned in Nethravathi

MANGALORE: Four students, all hailing from Kerala and pursuing their engineering courses in Bearys Institute of Technology (BIT), Mangalore, were feared drowned after being swept away by strong currents in Nethravathi river near Innoli Dharmanagar on Sunday evening.The students feared drowned were identified as Subhan Khalel of Thalassery, Mohammed  Shifaz of Neeleshwar, Rinaz of Malappuram and Shafvan of Kannur.According to Fire Service personnel, 12 students from BIT decided to go swimming in Netravathy river near Innoli. They started a game of ball in the river, and five of them went deep into the river to retrieve the ball.Suddenly, they were swept away by the strong currents. The others rushed to save them, but they could save only Mashroof of Calicut with the help of a boat.On information, Konaje police and Fire Service personnel from Pandeshwar rushed to the spot and started rescue operations.Assistant Commissioner of Police T R Jagannath said, “Search operations are still on, and five diving teams from Ullal have been pressed into service to trace the students.”