New Delhi: Four Indian medical students drowned in an unfortunate incident in the Volkhov River, Russia and a fifth one was saved from drowning and is under medical treatment. The four students, aged 18-20, were studying at the Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University in Veliky Novgorod Russia, informed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The four deceased were identified as Harshal Anantrao Desale, Jishan Ashpak Pinjari, Jia Firoj Pinjari and Malik Gulamgous Mohammad Yakub. They were taking a walk along the Volkhov River when they entered the waters.
Russian media reports suggested that a woman student, who waded out from the bank near the river, got into trouble and four of her companions tried to save her. In their attempt to save her, three others also drowned in the river. Another student, Nisha Bhupesh Sonawane, was pulled to safety by local people.
As per reports, Jishan Ashpak Pinjari and Jia Firoj Pinjari were siblings and hailed from Amalner in Jalgaon, Harshal Desale belonged to Bhadgaon, officials said. A family member said to local media that Jishan Ashpak Pinjari was on a video call with his parents just a few seconds before he and the three others drowned in the river.
The MEA said, “Our Consulate in St. Petersburg remains in contact with the university and local authorities and is providing all possible assistance. Local emergency services have so far recovered two dead bodies from the Volkhov river. We offer our condolences to the families. The search for remaining two missing student continues. The five students involved in the accident belong to the Jalgaon district of Maharashtra.”
“Our Consulate in St. Petersburg is coordinating with local authorities for the repatriation of the mortal remains. The Consulate continues to be in contact with the families and the district administration in Jalgaon, Maharashtra”, the MEA added.
