His bag stolen while he was taking bath

In a suspected case of mistaken identity, a German national, Michael Prechtl, 38, was attacked by a group of people on the beach here. He suffered bleeding injuries and was admitted to hospital.

Michael came to India on a tourist visa and visited the beach on Sunday. Some youth, suspected to be fishermen, allegedly beat him up with stones on his head.

Sarpavaram Circle Inspector D.S. Chaitanya Krishna said some unidentified persons reportedly stole his luggage while he was taking bath in the sea. While searching for his bag, Mr. Michael reportedly had an altercation with some local youth, who allegedly thrashed him, and escaped into the nearby village.

Suspecting that he was a psycho, the locals tied him up. On receiving information, police rushed to the spot and rescued him.

Timmapuram SI B. Tirupathi Rao said cases had been registered against five persons