Diveagar Beach Tragedy: Eight Pune Students Drown During Coaching Centre Trip
Eight students from an Alandi-based private coaching centre drowned at Diveagar beach in Raigad during a group trip. They were among 48 students and teachers visiting the beach. All eight bodies were recovered, while authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and questions over safety arrangements.
Raigad: Eight teenage students from Pune district drowned at Diveagar beach in Maharashtra’s Raigad district after entering the sea during a trip organised by a private coaching centre in Alandi. Police said all eight bodies were recovered following rescue efforts by local residents and water-sports personnel.
The students were part of a group from Winners Academy in Alandi. According to the Raigad district administration, the group comprised 48 people — 25 boys, 17 girls and six teachers. Preliminary police information indicated that some students entered the sea and were swept into deeper waters after apparently misjudging the depth and tide.
Eight Students Lose Their Lives
The deceased were identified as Tanmay Dattatray Vahile, Sumit Bharat Ahire, Pranav Ramdas Bansode, Kaivalya Satish Wasankar, Rajveer Yuvraj Vahile, Yash Kiran Wankhede, Soham Tukaram Bhandwalkar and Kaustubh Sandeep Daund.
After the students were seen struggling in the water, local residents and water-sports personnel rushed into the sea and launched a rescue operation. All eight students were eventually brought out of the water.
Police subsequently completed the necessary procedures and the bodies were sent for post-mortem examination.
Questions Raised Over Safety Arrangements
The tragedy has prompted questions from families and others over the safety arrangements and supervision during the trip. A surviving student told The Indian Express that there were no visible lifeguards, warning boards or life jackets at the beach when the group visited.
Reports also indicate that authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident and the safety measures in place during the excursion.
Alandi Coaching Centre Sealed
A day after the tragedy, the Alandi Municipal Council sealed the coaching institute’s premises after officials found that it lacked a mandatory municipal no-objection certificate. The civic action is separate from the investigation into the drowning incident.
The deaths have plunged the victims’ families and the Alandi community into mourning while also bringing renewed scrutiny to safety arrangements for trips involving students.