Tragic Loss: Four Indian Medical Students Drown in Russia During Heroic Rescue Attempt

In a tragic incident, four Indian medical students, including a pair of siblings, recently drowned in Russia while one of them was on a video call with his parents. The heartbreaking event occurred in Veliky Novgorod, where the students from Wise Novgorod State University were enjoying a walk along the Volkhov River. Local media reports suggest that the students lost their lives while attempting to rescue a fellow student from the water.

The Victims

The deceased have been identified as Harshal Anantrao Desale, Jishan Ashpak Pinjari, Jia Firoj Pinjari, and Malik Gulamgous Mohammad Yakub. All four were residents of Maharashtra, India. Jishan and Jia Pinjari, siblings from Amalner in the Jalgaon district, were among the victims. The student they tried to save, Nisha Bhupesh Sonawane, is currently receiving medical care from local authorities.

The Incident

The tragic sequence of events began when the students were taking a leisurely walk near the beach along the Volkhov River during their free time from studies. While in the water, Jishan Pinjari made a video call to his family. According to a family member, Jishan’s father and other relatives were on the call, desperately urging Jishan and the others to exit the water when a strong wave suddenly swept them away.

Despite the frantic pleas from their family, the siblings and their friends were overpowered by the wave and pulled under the water. The incident, witnessed in real-time by Jishan’s family, added an excruciatingly personal dimension to the tragedy.

Rescue and Repatriation Efforts

Following the incident, local emergency services recovered two bodies from the Volkhov River. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India released a statement expressing their condolences to the bereaved families and confirmed ongoing efforts to repatriate the mortal remains. The statement read, “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…Local emergency services have so far recovered two dead bodies from the Volkhov River. We offer our condolences to the families.”

Ongoing Search

As of the latest reports, a search operation is still underway to locate the bodies of the two missing students. The Indian Consulate in St. Petersburg is actively involved, working closely with local Russian authorities to expedite the search and repatriation process.

This incident has cast a pall of sorrow over the families of the victims and their communities back home in Maharashtra, as well as among the Indian student community in Russia. The tragic loss of these young lives serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictability of natural elements and the enduring bond of familial love, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.