Pune, Oct. 1 -- Eight students of Winners Academy in Alandi, Pune, drowned in the sea off Diveagar beach in Raigad district on Thursday during a school picnic, police said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Raju Sonawane said teachers and students from the academy had visited Diveagar Beach and entered the sea.

"Today, teachers and students from 'Winners Academy' in Alandi, Pune, visited Diveagar Beach. They ventured into the sea but failed to accurately gauge the water conditions and the result was that eight students lost their lives," Sonawane told ANI.

Local residents gathered outside Winners Academy in Alandi town of Pune late Thursday night after the incident.

Maharashtra Minister Bharatshet Gogawale visited the hospital in the di...