The bodies of two students from Changanassery in Kottayam district, who went missing after being swept away by strong waves while bathing in the sea near Kallinkal, Pallikkara, on Sunday (June 14), were recovered on Monday (June 15) following an extensive search operation.

The body of Appu T. Abraham, 20, was recovered from the Chithari River around 12.30 p.m. on Monday, while the body of Abhijit, 20, was recovered near the Muttunthala estuary around 1.15 p.m.

The two youths had gone missing around 5 p.m. on Sunday (June 14) after being caught in strong waves while bathing at a coastal stretch located about one kilometre from Red Moon Beach in Pallikkara.

A large-scale search operation was launched on Sunday evening and continued through the night before being intensified on Monday morning. Officials said the bodies had been shifted to a hospital for post-mortem examination.

Published – June 15, 2026 08:22 pm IST