Indian citizen drowns at Nelson beach

Teena

Source: Facebook

An Indian citizen in New Zealand drowned on early Tuesday morning at Tahunanui Beach near Nelson after a late night swim with her husband, reports.

29-year-old Teena Kunjappan of Kerala, India and her husband, Jilu C John, had gone for a beachside walk after midnight when they decided to go into the water and got into trouble soon after.

A  said a man and a woman got into trouble while swimming at low tide in clothing.

"They were struggling to get to the shore. The man managed to pull the woman out of the water at around 1.30am."

Kunjappan died at the scene and John was taken to Nelson Hospital in a moderate condition.

He was treated and discharged.

Kunjappan's death has been referred to the coroner.
"I strongly urge people not to go into unpatrolled waters," Bhav Dhillon, India's honorary consul in Auckland told .

"It is always extremely sad when a young life is lost this way. I urge members of the community, and everybody else, to swim only in designated areas, in between the flags, and where the waters are patrolled by lifeguards.

"Always swim where there is help available - there is no help out there late at night," Dhillon told Stuff.

"It has been great weather this summer, and New Zealand waters are very inviting - but please be careful."

Dhillon said the Indian High Commission was now working closely with Kunjappan's family to help them repatriate the body back to the India.

Kunjappan was in New Zealand on spouse visa, and husband John had arrived into the country on a student visa and was currently on a work visa which expires in August.

Follow SBS Hindi on and

Share
2 min read
Published 30 January 2018 3:39pm
By Mosiqi Acharya

Share this with family and friends