Three marine fishermen put their lives at risk to save two teens from drowning off the seacoast here.

Tragedy had struck the three Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) students on October 2. While they were enjoying bath in the sea, strong current suddenly swept them away.

Fishermen Kambala Prasad, 38, B. Srinu, 25, and S. Gopi, 40, were preparing for a fishing voyage when they heard the scream of the boy and jumped into the sea to rescue them.

“We were near the sea beach and were getting ready for a fishing voyage. Suddenly we heard a hue and cry about some boys getting swept away by the mighty sea waves. As we rushed towards the sea, we saw the boys waving their hands and screaming for help. Wasting no time, we tied ropes to our waists and plunged into the sea. The sea was rough and the waves were unsteady. While swimming across the waves, we flung the ropes for the boys to hold on to. Two of the boys managed cling on to the ropes. With difficulty, we succeeded to drag them to the shore and save them from the jaws of death,” said Kambala Prasad.

While the fishermen managed to rescue A. Saijyoti and Subham Kulu, the strong waves washed away class IX student Anshuman Das.

“It still pains us to think that we could not save Anshuman,” said Prasad.

The fishermen’s act of bravery has won the appreciation of the local residents and the district administration.

“The fishermen displayed exemplary courage in taking risk to save the lives of the teenagers,” said Paradip additional district magistrate Kanhu Charan Dhir.

“The administration will recommend their names for the Jeevan Raksha Padak, a civilian lifesaving award instituted by the Centre. They deserve the life saving award,” he said.

“The sea in Paradip is marked by strong current. Taking a bath in the sea is risky here. The government agencies need to install signposts at vulnerablebeach points to warn the people against sea bath,” he concluded.