At least eight teenage students drowned at Diveagar beach in India’s western Maharashtra state on Thursday after reportedly being swept away by strong currents, according to local media.
The students were part of a group from a private coaching academy in Pune that had travelled to the beach in Raigad district for a picnic. Diveagar is located around 170 kilometres from Mumbai.
Local police said the students had entered the sea but misjudged the tides, water depth and strength of the currents, resulting in several of them being swept away.
According to the Hindustan Times, the group comprised 17 girls and 25 boys accompanied by their teachers.
“The students were swept away as they were unable to judge the depth of the water and current,” police were quoted as saying.
Rescue personnel and local residents rushed to the scene following the incident and recovered the bodies of the eight students.
Authorities were investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.