Indian Man Drowns at Hilton Head Beach While Swimming With Son, Sparks Outpouring of Grief

49-year-old Saumen Kundu from Georgia was pulled by a rip current off South Carolina’s coast while vacationing with family

A vacation on the South Carolina coast turned tragic Thursday after a man from Georgia drowned while swimming with his teenage son at a popular beach in Hilton Head Island.

Authorities identified the victim as Saumen Kundu, 49, a resident of Georgia and an Indian national. Kundu and his son were caught in a rip current while wading in the waters near Burkes Beach, a usually calm and family-friendly stretch in Beaufort County.

Caught in a current no one saw coming

Local emergency teams responded swiftly after bystanders noticed the two struggling in the water. According to the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, both were caught in a rip current—a powerful, narrow channel of fast-moving water that can surprise even experienced swimmers.

By the time rescuers reached them, it was already too late for Kundu. His son was pulled to safety and is recovering, officials confirmed.

Community grief and support from afar

News of the drowning spread quickly, both across Hilton Head and back in Georgia’s Indian community. Condolences poured in from friends, coworkers, and consulate officials alike.

The Indian Consulate in Atlanta issued a statement Friday morning, saying,

“We are deeply saddened by the news of a tragic drowning incident near Hilton Head Island that claimed the life of an Indian national. The Consulate is coordinating with local authorities and humanitarian groups, and extending full support to the family during this difficult time.”

For those who knew Kundu, the heartbreak is hard to describe.
He was a devoted father, a quiet soul, and a well-known face in the local Bengali community in the Atlanta suburbs. Friends described him as kind-hearted, soft-spoken, and deeply devoted to his family.

An ordinary beach day gone horribly wrong

Rip currents don’t discriminate. They’re silent, fast, and frightening. And sometimes, people don’t even realize they’re in one until it’s too late.

On Thursday afternoon, the weather was calm. There were no warnings issued, no storm clouds, and nothing unusual. But even when everything looks normal, the sea often has other plans.

Here’s what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says about rip currents:

• They move at speeds up to 8 feet per second—faster than Olympic swimmers.

• Most deaths happen when people try to swim against the current.

• More than 100 Americans die every year from rip current-related drownings.

Kundu and his son were likely pulled outward in seconds.
In these situations, time isn’t just precious—it’s unforgiving.

A closer look at the beach’s drowning history

Hilton Head’s beaches are generally safe, but not immune to tragedy. According to South Carolina’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, the area sees 1–2 drownings annually, often in summer when tourist traffic peaks.

Here’s a quick table showing Hilton Head’s water-related incidents over the last five years:

Warnings weren’t enough—or weren’t there?

One parent on the beach that day, who declined to give her name, said she didn’t hear any lifeguard alerts or posted signs about currents.

“There were no flags. Nothing looked dangerous. The water looked perfect. My kids were right there,” she said, pointing at the shoreline, voice trembling.

This raises a question: was the beach under any hazard alert that day? Local authorities haven’t clarified yet. The investigation is ongoing.

Local officials are reviewing weather conditions, lifeguard response, and signage at the time of the incident. They’ve also promised a deeper review of safety protocols during tourist season.

A reminder that nature’s silent dangers don’t discriminate

What makes this case particularly heartbreaking is that Kundu wasn’t alone. He was with his son. He probably acted instinctively—to protect, to guide, to save.

And that’s what makes rip currents so cruel.

They catch you in moments of joy, turn celebration into horror, and leave families searching for answers.

Kundu’s son, who survived, is said to be physically safe. But emotionally? That’s another story.

“He’s going to remember this forever,” said a family friend in Georgia. “It was supposed to be a happy trip. It ended in trauma.”

Local and international support building for the family

Several community groups in Georgia have begun organizing support efforts for the family, including help with funeral arrangements and counseling.

One Atlanta-based Bengali organization has set up a small relief fund. Another is planning a memorial.

A few members from the Indian-American community also reached out to the consulate to assist with any legal processes or transportation, should the family wish to take any steps involving repatriation of remains.

For now, the focus is on helping the son recover and making sure Kundu’s wife isn’t left to handle it all alone.