Rip current at Kirinda beach kills school teacher

A 56-year-old school teacher has died after a group of teachers and students who went swimming at Kirinda beach, within the Kirinda Police Division, were caught in a strong rip current and swept away.

A group of teachers from a school in the Badalkumbura area, along with several students, had gone to Kirinda beach yesterday (25) for a swim.

Reports say they were suddenly caught in a powerful rip current and dragged further into the sea.

Police Lifesaving Unit officers on duty at the beach responded immediately and entered the water to rescue those being swept away, police said.

Among those rescued, a critically injured man and a young girl were admitted to Kirinda Hospital for treatment.

The man later died despite treatment. He has been identified as a 56-year-old school teacher from the Badalkumbura area.

The injured girl has been transferred to the Tissamaharama Base Hospital for further treatment, hospital sources said.