Fears for Indian student who went missing while swimming

According to eyewitness Arhik Haries, his fellow student Albin Shinto from Kerala, India, was one of five friends who swam in the canal on July 18 at around 18:00. Albin got into difficulties and was sinking from view. Two of his friends tried to save him and almost succeeded but they, too, got into difficulties. A passing fisherman managed to save the rescuers with his boat but unfortunately, Albin was lost beneath the waves.

Mr. Haries acknowledged that police and rescuers, including a diver, were quickly on the scene and searched for "two to three hours", but were unable to find Albin and called off the search with night approaching. However, when the friends asked when the search would be resumed, they claim they were initially told it would resume the next day but were subsequently told that it would not be until Monday because of limited resources being available to conduct large-scale and lengthy search operations.

Now the tight-knit group of Indian students, who are clearly distressed by the loss of their friend, face several days of uncertainty while also attempting to provide information to Albin's family back in India. The Indian embassy has also been informed.  

"His parents are crying in India, the Indian embassy is calling the police, but no-one is helping us," said Haries. "At least we need to get the body to give to his family," he said. 

Latvian State Police told LSM: "On July 18, the State Police received information that a man had not returned from swimming in Jugla Canal. Employees of the State Fire and Rescue Service started a search for the man for several hours, but unfortunately without results. In such cases, the first hours are decisive, and given that there is a current in the canal, the man's body is most likely no longer where it was last seen."

The State Police said it continues to investigate the incident.