Indian national drowns off Hilton Head Island in South Carolina | World News

An Indian national drowned while swimming off the coast of Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, the Consulate General of India in Atlanta confirmed Friday. The victim, identified local authorities as 49-year-old Saumen Kundu is a resident of Georgia and died Thursday evening after being caught in a rip current.
“We are deeply saddened the news of a tragic drowning incident near Hilton Head Island that claimed the life of an Indian national,” the consulate said in a statement posted on X. “Consulate is coordinating with local authorities and humanitarian groups and extending full support to the family during this difficult time.”
According to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office quoted ABC News4, deputies responded to a water emergency in the Sea Pines area of the island around 7 pm local time. They said Kundu and his son were swimming when they were caught in a rip current.

We are deeply saddened the news of a tragic drowning incident near Hilton Head Island that claimed the life of an Indian national. Consulate is coordinating with local authorities and humanitarian groups and extending full support to the family during this difficult time.
— India in Atlanta (@CGI_Atlanta) July 25, 2025
Two standers who heard calls for help entered the water in an attempt to rescue the pair. Emergency responders from Hilton Head Island Fire and Rescue and Shore Beach Services arrived shortly afterward and helped bring all four individuals — the father, son, and both standers — back to shore.
Despite immediate efforts both the standers and emergency personnel to resuscitate him, Kundu was pronounced dead at the scene. His son survived.