Pune coaching institute takes students to Diveagar beach on outing; 8 drown

A tragic accident unfolded on Thursday (October 1) at Diveagar beach in Raigad district, Maharashtra, when eight students from Alandi’s Winners Academy drowned while on a planned excursion. The eight students, aged between 16 and 17 years, were participating in a picnic trip organized by a private coaching institute for their 11th and 12th-grade science education.

Among the eight victims were Yash Kiran Wankhede, Soham Tukaram Bhandwalkar, Tanmay Dattatray Wahile, Kaustubh Sandeep Daund, Kaivalya Wasankar, Rajveer Wahile, Pranav Bansode, and Sumit Ahire.

The excursion, involving a total of 48 people, including 25 boys, 17 girls, and six teachers, departed from Alandi in Pune district. Upon reaching Diveagar beach, a popular tourist destination under the Dighi Maritime Police Station's jurisdiction, some students ventured into the sea to swim. However, due to an incorrect assessment of the water depth and tide, the students were unexpectedly pulled into the deep ocean by strong currents and tragically lost their lives.

Local residents and lifeguards promptly rescued the students from the water and rushed them to the Borli Primary Health Center. Unfortunately, despite the immediate medical attention, the examination revealed that the students had succumbed to the tragedy.

The families of the deceased students are now grappling with immense grief, and the incident has left the entire region in shock. Authorities, including officials from the Dighi Maritime Police, revenue administration, and health department, have swiftly arrived on the scene to manage the aftermath of the catastrophe. Further legal proceedings are underway to address the tragic incident.