Eight tourists from Alandi drown at Diveagar beach in Raigad

Eight tourists drowned at the beach in Diveagar, a popular tourist spot in Raigad district. They belonged to a private coaching class from Alandi in Pune and had come on a picnic. All of them were dead before treatment could begin. The incident has cast a pall of grief over Alandi, Pune and the whole of Konkan.

According to preliminary information, 42 students and 2 teachers of a class in Alandi, 44 people in all, had come to Diveagar on an outing. Everyone was enjoying themselves by the sea and taking in the view. Meanwhile, some youths entered the water.

They had no idea of the depth of the water or the pull of the waves. Without realising it, they were drawn towards deep water. The current was strong, which made it hard for them to get out, and they began to drown.

Panic broke out on the shore as the students were seen drowning. Alert staff of Mahakali Water Sports and local residents jumped into the sea without delay. After great effort, they pulled all eight out of the water.

All of them were then rushed to the primary health centre at Borli Panchatan for treatment. But all eight had died before reaching the hospital or during treatment. Doctors declared them dead.

The death of eight young tourists in a single accident has plunged the Diveagar area into mourning. On receiving news of the incident, local police and revenue department officials reached the spot. They took the bodies into their custody and have begun further legal action.

The accident has once again raised the question of tourist safety on Konkan beaches. The administration issues warnings repeatedly, yet tourists often ignore them. The police and local administration have now appealed to tourists to exercise full caution when entering the sea and to follow the rules strictly.