Indian Student Drowns in Riga, Embassy Coordinates Rescue Efforts

The Embassy of India to Sweden and Latvia is working with Latvian authorities following the suspected drowning of Indian student Albin Shinto in Riga. Eyewitnesses reported Shinto struggled while swimming, leading to rescue attempts by friends and a fisherman. Rescue operations will resume on Monday.

The Embassy of India to Sweden and Latvia announced on Saturday that it is closely coordinating with Latvian authorities after the suspected drowning of an Indian student in Riga. According to a statement from the embassy, officials are in touch with the student's family and are providing all possible assistance.

Latvia-based news portal LSM reported that Albin Shinto, a student from Kerala, is believed to have drowned while swimming in the Jugla canal in Riga. On the evening of July 18, Shinto and four friends were swimming when the tragic incident occurred. Eyewitness Arhik Haries told LSM that Shinto struggled in the water and began to sink.

Two of Shinto's friends attempted to rescue him but also faced difficulties. A nearby fisherman managed to save the rescuers with his boat, but Shinto was lost beneath the waves. Emergency services, including a diver, conducted a search for two to three hours but were unable to locate Shinto. The search has been paused and will continue on Monday due to limited resources, LSM reported. (ANI)