Two youths drown in Ashtamudi lake

KOLLAM: Two youths drowned in the Ashtamudi lake at Chemmakkadu near Anchalummoodu in the district on Sunday while they were engaged in fishing. The deceased have been identified as Sukesan, 23, of Jayanti Colony, Edakkara, Vellimon, and his neighbour, Saju, 22. Anchalummoodu police said that Sukesan and Saju were a part of the six member group of youths engaged in fishing using anglers on a fibre boat in Ashtamudi lake. They drowned in the deep sand pit in the lake on Sunday afternoon after the boat capsized. However, the rest of the group swam to safety. Local people and Fire and Rescue Services personnel from Kundara had to toil for about four hours to recover the bodies.