KOCHI: Tanzanian Naval Cadet Abdul Ibrahim Salih (22), a student at the Ezhimala Naval Academy, went missing in the Kochi backwaters on Sunday. The accident occurred when he arrived in Kochi at Nedumbassery Airport today to return home following a one-month holiday.

He was swept away while swimming in the backwaters at 5.15 pm on Sunday near the Thevara Bridge. After swimming safely three times and reaching the shore, the cadet jumped into the waters again but was swept off in the current.

Genial Benz, a classmate and Naval Academy cadet from Kollam, who was on the shore and saw the incident unfold right in front of his eyes, informed Club Road Fire Force. The Navy's scuba team is continuing the search in the backwaters.

Abdul Ibrahim Salih, who arrived in Kochi after the passing out parade on Saturday, stayed at a hotel in the city with his friend. He went for a swim in the lake on Sunday after the weather improved, but the undercurrent was strong.