Beach tragedy: The mourning after

Rafiya and Shafiya’s father Mumtaz Ansari runs a well known bakery in the area, which also has a branch near Swargate. “He was with us in the bakery when the news broke. He immediately called the college authorities to know if his girls were safe. But unfortunately, the news of their death appeared and he lost his calm,” said Irfan Sheikh, a worker in the bakery of Mumtaz Ansari.

The duo has a little sister and a younger brother. The brother cannot believe the tragedy that has befallen the family and the loss of his sisters, who were more like “friends”. “I can’t believe that this has happened. They left early in the morning… They were so happy…”said a teary Muaz Ansari.

After the news broke, Ansari and his wife rushed to the nearby Masjid to pray for the life of their girls. “They had hope. The mother of the girls hasn’t stopped crying. This is a terrible loss for any parent. Who is responsible for this? The girls lost their lives. They were both very bright and their father supported their education unlike other people from his community. What has he got? Nothing,” said Ali Ansari, a relative.

Till 9.45 pm, the family was waiting for the bodies of the girls, with hundreds flocking the small ally where the family owns a small house on the first floor. “Hope they give the bodies early at least,” said a numbed Ansari.