Teen pupils, 17, 14 & 13 die after being swept out to sea while playing as boy, 12, pulled from water in dramatic rescue

THREE teenagers have drowned after a horrifying rescue attempt ended in tragedy when they were swept out to sea while playing on rocks. Brothers Haruki Shitaebisu, 17, and Kensei, 13, and their friend Takahiro Takemoto, 14, were among four youngsters dragged into the deadly waters. The horror unfolded off Ichikikushikino in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, at around 3.30pm on Friday. Facing the open sea, the rocky coastline became the scene of a nightmare after four students started jumping into the water and two suddenly got into trouble. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Desperate to save them, the other two plunged in – only to be swept away themselves. A fifth student who escaped the terrifying ordeal desperately called for help, while a 12-year-old boy was pulled to safety by a Coast Guard patrol vessel. But the other three vanished beneath the waves, triggering a frantic search that continued into Saturday. Two bodies were recovered from the sea on Saturday morning and the boys were confirmed dead. A third was found later that afternoon in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest and was also confirmed dead. The Coast Guard identified two of the dead as Haruki and Takemoto, while the identity of the third was still being investigated. Most read in The Sun Haruki’s younger brother Kensei remains missing. Rough waves had been predicted for the area, although no wave warning or advisory had been issued for the coastal area of Ichikikushikino City. The Coast Guard initially said the area was off-limits for swimming, but later corrected the information and said swimming is allowed there. Another report said swimming is prohibited at the site. The desperate search continued on Saturday as winds and waves appeared calmer than the previous day. It comes just after a Brit dad died after being swept away in a rip tide while swimming with his wife and three kids in Indonesia. They were out swimming at Kerandangan Beach at around 3.30pm on Wednesday when the father was suddenly taken by a rip tide. He was missing underwater for 18 minutes before being pulled unconscious from the waves. Local residents had rushed to his aid with a jet ski and diving equipment. The dad was rushed to hospital but could not be saved. His wife and three children survived the ordeal. They had been staying at the Rinjani Eco Resort in Tanjung, North Lombok, a holiday island near Bali. Comment now