Mumbai, October 1: A picnic turned into a tragedy at Diveagar beach in Maharashtra’s Raigad district after eight students from Pune drowned in the sea on Thursday.
The students were part of a larger group from Winners Academy, a coaching institute in Alandi, Pune. The group, comprising 48 people including students and teachers, had travelled to Diveagar for an outing.
According to police, eight students entered the sea but were swept away by strong currents. The students reportedly misjudged the depth and conditions of the water. As soon as the incident came to light, local residents, water-sports operators and rescue personnel began searching the area.
Despite efforts to save them, all eight students drowned. Their bodies were subsequently recovered from the sea and taken to the Primary Health Centre at Borli Panchatan, where they were declared dead.
The deceased have been identified as Tanmay Dattatray Vahile, Sumit Bharat Ahire, Pranav Ramdas Bansode, Kaivalya Satish Wasankar, Rajveer Yuvraj Vahile, Yash Kiran Wankhede, Soham Tukaram Bhandwalkar and Kaustubh Sandeep Daund.
The students were reportedly studying in Classes XI and XII. News of the tragedy left their families, friends, teachers and classmates devastated, with the incident casting a pall of gloom over their hometowns.
Police and local authorities reached the spot and began completing the necessary formalities. An investigation is also underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The tragedy has raised fresh concerns about safety arrangements during student excursions to beaches and other tourist destinations. Questions have also been raised over supervision and whether adequate precautions were taken before the students entered the water.
Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan has ordered an inquiry into the incident. The government is also expected to review safety measures for educational and student trips and consider additional guidelines for such outings.
Local representatives and residents have called for stronger safety arrangements at Diveagar beach, including clear warnings about dangerous currents, better monitoring of visitors and adequate rescue facilities.
