14-year-old girl drowns in Varkala, search for friend, suicide suspected

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 14-year-old girl drowned at the Vettakada beach in Varkala. She has been identified as Shreya of Venkulam in Varkala. A search is on for her friend, who accompanied her. The incident happened Thursday afternoon at 12.30 pm. Initial reports said that it is a suicide. Police said that after her parents refused to give her mobile, she left home.

The locals first saw two children walking towards the beach. They tried to save them, but they were washed away. The body of Shreya later washed ashore. The police have not obtained the details of the other child who was with Shreya.