3 Teens Die After Being Swept Out to Sea While Playing Along Rocky Coast

The teens were jumping into the sea from a rocky area when they were swept away on Friday, Aug. 28

NEED TO KNOW

• Three students died after being swept out to sea while playing along the Japanese coast
• The Japan Coast Guard said the middle and high school students were playing along the coast by jumping into the sea from a rocky area at the time of the incident
• The three deceased teenagers have been identified as Haruki Shitaebisu, 17, his younger brother Kensei, 13, and Takahiro Takemoto, 14

Three teens have died after being swept out to sea while playing along the Japanese coast. 

On Friday, Aug. 28, the Kushikino Coast Guard received a report that four middle and high school students were swept away off the coast of the Kagoshima Prefecture in southwestern Japan around 3:30 p.m. local time, according to local outlets Kagoshima Yomiuri Television, Kyodo News and News On Japan. 

The three deceased teenagers have since been identified as Haruki Shitaebisu, 17, his younger brother Kensei, 13, and Takahiro Takemoto, 14, per Kagoshima Yomiuri Television. 

At the time of the incident, the Coast Guard said the students were playing along the coast by jumping into the sea from a rocky area, per Kyodo News. When two of the students began to drown, the other two allegedly jumped in to try to save them, after which they were also swept out to sea.

According to Kagoshima Yomiuri Television, one 12-year-old middle school student was rescued by a Coast Guard patrol vessel at the scene.

Kyodo News also reported that a fifth student, who was not swept out to sea, was the one who called for help.

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The Coast Guard found two of the missing boys’ bodies in the sea on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 29, after which the boys were confirmed dead, per Kagoshima Yomiuri Television.

The third boy’s body was discovered in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest later that afternoon, after which he was also confirmed dead. 

Before the incident, the Fukuoka Regional Meteorological Observatory predicted rough waves in the area, per Kyodo News. However, no wave warnings or advisories were issued for the coastal area of Ichikikushikino City. 

While the Coast Guard initially said the area was off-limits for swimming, Japan Today reported that they later corrected the information, stating that swimming is allowed in the area. 

The Japan Coast Guard did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.