10 Pune collegians drown in Arabian Sea near Mumbai

At least 10 college students, including three girls, have drowned in the Arabian Sea at Murud Beach in Raigad district, around 150 km south of Mumbai, police said here on Monday.

The students were part of a group of around 130 from Pune's A. Inamdar College and had come to the picturesque Murud beach for a picnic, Superintendent of Police Suvez Haque said.

So far, of an estimated 20-22 students who had gone into the sea, four girls have been rescued till late afternoon and a search continues for the others.College Principal P.A. Inamdar told mediapersons that the senior students, studying computer science, had gone on a college-sponsored annual picnic accompanied by five staff members and other support staff."We are shocked by this tragedy. We are making all efforts to help the students and their families with the help of the local villagers and police. A team of our trustees has already left Pune for Raigad for rendering further assistance," Inamdar said.

According to available information, the number of casualties may go up as some more students were reporting missing in the water.

Rescue operations are underway in full swing by locals and the Raigad police with help from nearby police stations.