Mumbai: The management and principal of the Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society-run Abeda Inamdar College in Pune have said that the drowning incident in which 14 students lost their lives was unfortunate and could have been averted had there been lifeguards available on the spot from where the students were washed into the sea. The college added that it had identified the 14 students and is in the process of informing their families about it.
Ten girls and four boys lost their lives in the tragedy and among the drowned girls, two — Rafia and Shafia Mumtaz Ansari — were sisters.
Meanwhile, as rumours of some students still being untraceable spread across Pune, prayers were held at various religious places for their safety and well-being.
P.A. Inamdar, trustee of Inamdar College, confirmed that 14 students had died in the mishap. “The picnickers were accompanied by around 10 staff members including teachers. We have been told that the beach where the students had gone apparently had no lifeguard available,” said Mr Inamdar adding that the college had sent officials to Murud to help the authorities to identify the bodies. “The college has taken all precautions to ensure that the families of the deceased are informed about the tragedy only after the identities of the drowned students are confirmed,” he said.
Shakir Mohammad, a resident of Viman Nagar, said that as news of the tragedy and missing students spread, mosques requested devotees to pray for the departed as well as the well-being and safety of the missing students. “The city is abuzz with talks of the tragedy and people are talking about the deceased and missing students. The imam of a mosque in Viman nagar called for special prayers for the students after the evening prayers got over,” said Mr Mohammad.
