Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 1: Eight students from a private coaching class in Pune drowned while swimming at Diveagar beach in Raigad district during a picnic on Thursday. All eight bodies have been recovered, according to the district administration.

The students were part of a group from Winners Academy in Alandi, Pune, which had travelled to Dighi Sagari, Diveagar, for an excursion. The district administration said the group comprised 48 people — 25 boys, 17 girls and six teachers.

According to police, the students entered the sea while visiting the beach and apparently misjudged the depth and tide, resulting in the drowning. Some of the students had reportedly gone into the water to swim before being swept into deeper waters.

The deceased have been identified as Tanmay Dattatray Wahile, Sumit Bharat Ahire, Pranav Ramdas Bansode, Kaivalya Satish Wasankar, Rajveer Yuvraj Wahile, Yash Kiran Wankhede, Soham Tukaram Bhandwalkar and Kaustubh Sandeep Daund.

After the students were seen drowning, local residents and employees of Mahakali Water Sports rushed to the spot and began rescue efforts. All eight students were subsequently recovered and declared dead. Their bodies were taken to the Borli Panchatan Primary Health Centre, while police and the administration continued their procedures and investigation.

The incident took place in Diveagar, a popular beach destination in Raigad district's Shrivardhan taluka.