Bhubaneswar, March 22 -- A tourist was swept into the sea while taking a bath at Puri Beach, triggering panic among fellow visitors and locals on Sunday. The incident took place near Hotel Subha Palace in Sector 14, a frequently visited stretch along the coastline known for heavy tourist activity.

According to some eyewitnesses, the tourist was enjoying a routine sea bath when he was suddenly caught in a powerful rip current. Unable to regain balance, he was pulled further into deeper waters, raising alarm among people present at the beach. Lifeguards stationed nearby noticed the situation and reacted without delay, launching a quick rescue operation and bringing the man safely back to shore. A fatal mishap could be averted thereby.

The...