Mangaluru (PTI): A tourist died and two others were rescued at Malpe Vadabandeshwara beach when they were bathing in the sea on Thursday, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Girish (26), a resident of Belur. Two persons who were rescued by lifeguards were identified as Ananth Gowda (42) and Santhosh (27), both from Belur Town, they said.

According to police, a group of tourists from Belur in Hassan district had come to Malpe beach. Girish, Santhosh and Ananth Gowda entered the waters to bathe and within minutes, all the three were caught in a strong current and washed away.

Lifeguards launched their speedboats and jet-ski vehicles and rescued Ananth Gowda and Santhosh.

Sources in the lifeguard group said when they picked up Girish, he was already lifeless due to water intake. He was taken to Kasturba Hospital where he was declared dead by hospital authorities.

Malpe police have registered a case of accidental death and are investigating.

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Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.

The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.

However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.

Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.

They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.