Pune: Student drowns at Kashid beach, his friend still missing

According to Murud police, a group of 58 students from the school were on a trip to Raigad for the last two days along with their teachers. On Wednesday morning, they came to Kashid beach, which is a major tourist attraction.

“As per primary information, around 12 noon, the students who were on the shore saw one of the students struggling to stay afloat. To save him, another students entered deep waters and so did one of the teachers, Tasnim Ahmed Chaudhary,” a police source said.

All three started drowning because of the drag of the sea water. After other students raised an alarm, some of the local residents jumped into the waters and managed to rescue Tasnim while Rakesh and Faizan could not be found.

Meanwhile, a police team reached the spot and Coast Guard rescue vessel was also called. However, before the Coast Guard team could reach, Rakesh’s body washed ashore. The search continued for Faizan, but there was no trace of him till Wednesday evening, when the search operation was suspended due to darkness.

Police said Rakesh’s body was handed over to his family members after autopsy.

All the students who had come for the picnic are from Class X.

The Indian Express has reported in the past about several drowning incidents at Kashid beach. It is known that the the depth of the water suddenly increases at spots very close to shore, which results in strong drag at certain spots. In spite of several warning boards put up at the beach by the administration, tourists continue to enter the water.