Selfie bid goes awry as four students drown in Mumbai

Mumbai, January 13

In yet another selfie-related tragedy, four students drowned and as many went missing on Saturday after their “perfect selfie” pursuit led to capsizing of a ferry carrying 40 students, off the Dahanu coast, 110 km from Mumbai.

Two of the dead have been identified as Sonal Bhagwan Surti and Jhanavi Harish Surti. Both of them were 17 years old. According to the Palghar police, the incident happened around 11.30 pm shortly after the students from KL Ponda High School and Babubhai Junior College boarded the ferry.

The ferry had moved 5 km from the shore at Parnaka when it suddenly capsized, throwing its occupants into the Arabian Sea, Palghar Superintendent of Police Manjunath Shinde said.

Those who survived the mishap said several students gathered on one side of the ferry and in order to take selfies which disturbed its balance and caused it to tilt on side before capsizing.

While the fisherfolk nearby pulled out 32 students, the bodies of four were recovered later in the afternoon. The Navy and the Coast Guard have diverted their ships and helicopters to join in the rescue effort, Shinde said. — TNS