Eight students from Pune drown at Diveagar beach in Raigad
Eight students from Pune district drowned on Thursday evening after being swept away by strong currents in the Arabian Sea off Diveagar beach in Maharashtra’s Raigad district. Police said all the bodies were recovered by nightfall.
What Happened
According to the Raigad police, the incident occurred shortly after a group from Winners Academy, a private coaching institute based in Alandi in Pune district, reached the beach. The 48-member group comprised 25 boys, 17 girls and six teachers. All the students were in Class XI and XII.
“The group arrived at the beach around 5.30 p.m. Eight of them entered the sea and were swept away by the current,” a Raigad police official said. The official added that the bodies were retrieved by evening. The beach falls under the jurisdiction of the Dighi coastal police station.
Rescue and Medical Response
All eight students were rushed to the primary health centre at Borli, where doctors declared them dead, police said.
Victims Identified
The deceased were identified as Tanmay Vahile, Sumit Ahire, Pranav Bansode, Kaivalya Wasankar, Rajveer Vahile, Yash Wankhede, Soham Bhandwalkar and Kaustubh Daund.
Background
Winners Academy, where the students were enrolled, is a coaching class in Alandi, Pune district, roughly 170 km from Diveagar. The group had travelled to the coastal town for a picnic.
Official Response and Investigation
Calling the incident “heart-wrenching,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “The local administration is coordinating to bring their bodies to Alandi, their hometown.”
Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan announced an inquiry into whether adequate safety measures were in place for the outing. “As per the information, only two teachers were present with the 48 students. It is necessary to investigate whether ample vigilance was exercised and also how permission was granted for students who could not swim to enter the sea,” Mr. Mahajan said.
Statements and Reactions
NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule expressed condolences to the families and urged caution among visitors to the coast. “Tourists visiting the seashore for leisure are requested to exercise caution when entering the sea,” she said.
Next Steps
Authorities said the local administration was working to transport the bodies to Alandi. The police and disaster management department are expected to examine supervision arrangements, permissions, and adherence to safety protocols during the trip as part of the probe.
The tragedy has cast a pall over the Pune and Raigad districts, with officials emphasizing the need for strict vigilance and safety compliance during group excursions to coastal areas known for unpredictable sea conditions.
