4 children killed as boat with 40 students capsizes in Maharashtra coast, 32 rescued

At least 4 children died while 11 others are missing after a boat with 40 school children on board capsized in Maharashtra’s Dahanu area on Saturday afternoon.

The tragic incident took place 2 nautical miles from the sea-shore in Dahanu, 110 km away from Mumbai city.

25 students were rescued with the help of locals and search for the remaining 11 students were on.

According to the initial reports, the boat capsized due to overloading and eyewitnesses say the children were not wearing life jackets.

A Dornier aircraft and helicopters along with ships were diverted to Dahanu for rescue operations, Coast Guard PRO said.

“Coast Guard has diverted ships which were at sea and ships are also sailing from Mumbai. Dornier aircraft and helicopters from Daman (near to Dahanu) have also been launched,” Coast Guard PRO said.

#Maharashtra: Boat with 40 school children on board capsizes 2 nautical miles from the sea shore in Dahanu. Rescue operations underway. pic.twitter.com/d38CEm1nex

— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2018

The students of KL Ponda school in Dahanu came for a picnic at the beach.

More details awaited.