Mumbai, October 1:Eight students drowned while swimming in the sea off Diveagar Beach in Maharashtra’s Raigad district, police said on Wednesday.

According to the Raigad Superintendent of Police’s office, 48 students and teachers from Winners Academy in Alandi, Pune — including 25 boys, 17 girls and six teachers — had visited Dighi Sagari and Diveagar Beach for a picnic.

Eight students drowned while swimming in the sea. Their bodies have been recovered, officials said.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar spoke with the Raigad District Collector following the incident and directed the administration to closely monitor rescue and relief operations and take all necessary measures.

Pawar expressed grief over the deaths and conveyed her condolences to the victims’ families.

NCP-SCP leader Supriya Sule also expressed condolences, calling the incident “very unfortunate” and saying she hoped injured students would be brought home safely.