Eight students from Pune district drowned on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Diveagar beach in Maharashtra's Raigad district, according to thehindu.com. The students were reportedly swept away by strong sea currents.
The incident occurred while the students were on a picnic, according to Telegraph India and ndtv.com. The drowning took place in the Arabian Sea, as reported by Telegraph India and Rediff.
Details of the Incident
All eight students were in Class XI and XII and were studying at Winners Academy, a coaching class located in Alandi, Pune district, according to thehindu.com. Alandi is situated approximately 170 km from Diveagar.
The group, comprising 48 members, included 25 boys, 17 girls, and six teachers, thehindu.com reported. They arrived at Diveagar beach around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Eight of the students subsequently entered the sea and were swept away by the current, according to a Raigad police official cited by thehindu.com. The bodies of the students were retrieved by evening.
According to the police, as reported by thehindu.com, the eight students were rushed to the primary health centre at Borli, where medical professionals declared them dead. The deceased students were identified as Tanmay Vahile, Sumit Ahire, Pranav Bansode, Kaivalya Wasankar, Rajveer Vahile, Yash Wankhede, Soham Bhandwalkar, and Kaustubh Daund, according to thehindu.com.
Official Reactions and Investigation
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the incident as "heart-wrenching," according to thehindu.com. He stated that the local administration is coordinating efforts to transport the bodies of the deceased students to Alandi, their hometown.
Girish Mahajan, the Disaster Management Minister, ordered an investigation into the incident, according to thehindu.com. The probe will focus on whether all necessary safety precautions were implemented for the trip. Mr. Mahajan noted that only two teachers were present with the group of 48 students. He questioned whether sufficient vigilance was exercised and how permission was granted for students who could not swim to enter the sea, thehindu.com reported.
NCP(SP) leader Supriya Sule expressed her condolences regarding the tragedy, according to thehindu.com. She also advised tourists visiting seashores for leisure to exercise caution when entering the sea.
