Picnic turns tragic as 8 students drown off Maharashtra beach

THE YOUNGSTERS GOT INTO THE WATER TO BEAT THE HEAT BUT EIGHT OF THEM WERE PULLED IN BY THE STRONG CURRENTS

A picnic to a beach in Malwan in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, turned tragic for a group of youngsters after eight of them drowned Saturday noon.

According to Malwan police, the incident was reported to them at 11.30 am.

The incident happened when about 30 students from Maratha Mandal college went to Wayri beach in Malwan for a picnic.

The youngsters got into the water to beat the heat but eight of them, including three women, were pulled in by the strong currents. Four others who were drowning were saved by locals.

The deceased are identified as Muzamin Aniker, 22; Kiran Khandekar, 22; Arti Chavan, 22; Avdhoot Tahsildar, 21; Nitin Mutnalkar, 21; Karuna Berde, 22; Maya Kolhe, 22; and Mahesh Kudulkar. Sanket Gadvi, Anita Hanali, Akansha Ghatge escaped with minor injuries.

Speaking to HT, Rajshree Halgekar, an official at the Maratha Mandal Engineering College, said around 30 students had gone to the beach.

“It was a private trip that the students arranged for themselves,” she said.

“As April 14 was a holiday, the students decided to make the trip, despite Saturday being a halfday,” Halgekar said.

“The school management has informed all the parents and the senior staff has also reached the spot, which is 250 km from the college,” she added.