NEW DELHI: Four Indian medical students drowned in a river near St. Petersburg, Russia. The victims, comprising two boys and two girls aged 18 to 20, were students at Novgorod State University in Veliky Novgorod.
One of the deceased Jishan, who was swept away by the powerful wave, was on a video call with his family. The family, watched helplessly as the powerful current carried the siblings away.
According to a statement given to local media by a family member, “When they entered the Volkhov river, Jishan made a video call to his family.His father and other family members were pleading with Jishan and others to come out of the river waters when a strong wave swept them away.”
Aditya Sanjay Bhosale and Aman Sharma, two medical students enrolled at Novgorod State University, decided to embark on a casual walk accompanied by their companions Harshal Anantrao Desale, Malik Gulamgous Mohammad Yakub, and Nisha Bhupesh Sonawane.
Sonawane, the sole survivor of the incident, is now receiving medical attention from Russian healthcare workers.
The Indian missions in Russia are working closely with local authorities to expedite the return of their bodies to their families.
The Jalgaon District Collector, Ayush Prasad on Thursaday said that “A very unfortunate incident has come to light in which five students have drowned in a river near St.Petersburg in Russia, of which one student’s life has been saved by the authorities in Russia and four students have died. One body has been recovered and search operations for three other bodies are going on. We, with the help of the ministry of external affairs, contacted the embassy in Russia and the consular general in St.Petersburg. They have been very supportive to the family and we’ve been coordinating with the judicial as well as the police and disaster management authorities. Best medical care is being provided to the student whose life has been safe… We are hoping that the bodies will be sent back to India as per the international protocol.”
One of the deceased Jishan, who was swept away by the powerful wave, was on a video call with his family. The family, watched helplessly as the powerful current carried the siblings away.
According to a statement given to local media by a family member, “When they entered the Volkhov river, Jishan made a video call to his family.His father and other family members were pleading with Jishan and others to come out of the river waters when a strong wave swept them away.”
Aditya Sanjay Bhosale and Aman Sharma, two medical students enrolled at Novgorod State University, decided to embark on a casual walk accompanied by their companions Harshal Anantrao Desale, Malik Gulamgous Mohammad Yakub, and Nisha Bhupesh Sonawane.
Sonawane, the sole survivor of the incident, is now receiving medical attention from Russian healthcare workers.
The Indian missions in Russia are working closely with local authorities to expedite the return of their bodies to their families.
The Jalgaon District Collector, Ayush Prasad on Thursaday said that “A very unfortunate incident has come to light in which five students have drowned in a river near St.Petersburg in Russia, of which one student’s life has been saved by the authorities in Russia and four students have died. One body has been recovered and search operations for three other bodies are going on. We, with the help of the ministry of external affairs, contacted the embassy in Russia and the consular general in St.Petersburg. They have been very supportive to the family and we’ve been coordinating with the judicial as well as the police and disaster management authorities. Best medical care is being provided to the student whose life has been safe… We are hoping that the bodies will be sent back to India as per the international protocol.”
Local media reports said that a female Indian student, who waded out from the beach on the river Volkhov, got into trouble and four of her companions tried to save her.
In response the Indian Consulate in St. Petersburg said, “Consulate General of India in St. Petersburg, Russia is working together with the local authorities of Veliky Novgorod to send the mortal remains to the relatives as soon as possible. The bereaved families have been contacted and assured of all the possible help..”
(With inputs from agencies)