Kozhikode: Noufal Uthiramparambil, a mussel collector at Kallakath Beach in Thikkodi, was the first to notice a group of visitors caught in the waves on Sunday. Despite his attempts to alert them, they were unable to escape the powerful undercurrents. Noufal, who also sells toys for a living, immediately called for help. His friends, who had gathered on the beach after their morning mussel collection, responded quickly. Using a buoy typically used for mussel collection, the team managed to save Jincy, a visitor from Kalpetta. Unfortunately, four others in her group lost their lives.

Noufal and his companion, Riyas Ayitta Valappil, both residents of Thikkodi, shared their account with Onmanorama while paying their final respects to the deceased. Nearly 20 fishermen involved in seasonal mussel collection, along with lifeguards, had participated in the rescue operation.

“Though it’s heartbreaking that four visitors lost their lives, we are relieved we could save at least one and recover all the bodies. It’s rare for drowned bodies to be retrieved from the sea so quickly—within just hours,” said Riyas.

Jincy informed the rescuers that four others were in danger, about 20 metres from the shore. “We tried to save them, but the undercurrents were too strong,” he added. “We eventually recovered their bodies from an area of about 30 square metres. Thankfully, it took only 1.5 to 2 hours, which is unusual. Otherwise, recovering the bodies could have taken at least a day.”

The mussel collectors, who are primarily fishermen, gather at Kallakath Beach at Thikkodi every evening. The beach, which stretches 4.5 kilometres from Payyoli to Kodikkal in Moodadi, is a popular “drive-in” destination. It gained popularity after the Covid pandemic and has become a busy destination. Visitors also frequent nearby Akalappuzha for boating. However, the beach lacks adequate safety measures, with just two lifeguards responsible for managing hundreds of visitors daily—a number that can exceed 1,000 during holidays.

“There is little the authorities can do without sufficient resources,” the fishermen said. “The beach has no police aid post, warning boards, streetlights, toilets, or even enough waste bins.”

Local residents have repeatedly voiced concerns about the lack of safety infrastructure and visitor facilities. However, responsibility for managing the beach remains unclear.

“The district collector is technically responsible for the beach, but the grama panchayat manages basic upkeep like cleaning,” said Grama Panchayat Vice President Ramachandran Kuyyandy. “We had installed warning boards earlier, but I’m unsure if they are still there.”

Meanwhile, a District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) representative said, “This spot is not under the jurisdiction of the District Tourism Department. However, we are working on a development project at Thikkodi Beach, located two kilometres away from the site.”