RAIGAD, October 2: Eight teenage students from a private coaching institute in Pune’s Alandi area drowned at Diveagar beach in Maharashtra’s Raigad district during a picnic on Thursday. All eight students were 16-year-old boys, and their bodies were recovered following a rescue operation involving local residents, water-sports personnel and police.
The students were part of a group from Winners Academy and Study Centre that had travelled from Alandi for an excursion.
Group Included 42 Students and Six Teachers
A total of 48 people — 42 students and six teachers — were part of the picnic group.
The group included 25 boys and 17 girls and had visited Raigad Fort before reaching Diveagar beach later in the day.
Eight Students Enter Sea
The incident occurred at around 3 pm when several students entered the Arabian Sea.
Police said the eight boys were caught in strong currents after entering deeper water and were unable to return safely to the shore.
Rescue Operation Launched
Teachers and other students raised an alarm after noticing the boys struggling in the water.
Local water-sports personnel rushed into the sea using jet skis, while police and residents also joined the rescue operation.
All Eight Bodies Recovered
All eight students were eventually brought out of the sea, and attempts were made to revive them.
They were taken for medical assistance but were declared dead. Their bodies were later sent for post-mortem examination.
Police Begin Investigation
Police have registered an accidental death case and begun investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities are examining the sequence of events, supervision during the picnic and safety arrangements followed by the coaching institute.
Families Question Safety Measures
Relatives of some of the students have raised questions about whether adequate precautions were taken during the excursion.
The coaching institute has said consent forms had been obtained from students before the trip, but families have sought clarity on how the students were allowed to enter the sea.
Maharashtra Government Expresses Condolences
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the deaths and said the administration was coordinating assistance for the families.
State and district authorities are also helping arrange the return of the students’ bodies to Alandi and surrounding areas.
Tragedy Raises Beach-Safety Concerns
The Diveagar incident has again highlighted the risks posed by strong sea currents and unpredictable water conditions along coastal areas.
Authorities are expected to examine whether additional safety measures or stricter supervision requirements are needed for organised student excursions to beaches.
Source – The Indian Express / Times of India / India Today / Raigad Police
Supreme News Network
