Four college students drowned at a waterfall in Kharghar when they visited the spot on Saturday morning. Fire brigade officials stated that the group had come for a picnic close to Pandavkada hills in Navi Mumbai.

Mumbai: Four college students drowned at a waterfall in Kharghar when they visited the spot on Saturday morning. Fire brigade officials stated that the group had come for a picnic close to Pandavkada hills in Navi Mumbai.

The incident occurred at 11 am on Saturday when the students were swept away by gush of water flowing heavily from the hilltop. While the bodies of three students were recovered by Saturday evening, search operation for the fourth one is still underway. “The water level at the site suddenly increased which swept away the girls in its speedy force,” said an official from Kharghar police station. The police further added that the deceased were studying in SIES college, Nerul of Navi Mumbai.

“The college is functioning normally, despite heavy rains. The lectures started at 7.30 am, but the three girls were absent on Saturday. We also learnt of this tragedy from the police and media,” college Principal Milind Vaidya told a news agency. The decea-sed have been identified as Neha Dama, Shweta Nand and Aarti Nair.

Navi Mumbai administration had, last month, issued an advisory against venturing into Pandavkada waterfall during Monsoon season.