The remains of three Indian students—Jishan Ashpak Pinjari, Jia Firoj Pinjari, and Harshal Anantrao Desale—arrived at Mumbai Airport from Russia after a tragic drowning incident in the Volkhov River near Veliky Novgorod on June 7.
The victims, along with another student, were studying at the Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University. The four students, aged between 18 and 20, were swept away by a powerful wave while in the river. Jishan was on a video call with his family at the time of the incident, and his relatives watched helplessly as the current carried the siblings away.
“When they entered the Volkhov River, Jishan made a video call to his family. His father and other family members were pleading with Jishan and others to come out of the river waters when a strong wave swept them away,” a family member told local media.
Aditya Sanjay Bhosale, Aman Sharma, Harshal Anantrao Desale, Malik Gulamgous Mohammad Yakub, and Nisha Bhupesh Sonawane had decided to take a casual walk along the river. Sonawane, the sole survivor, is currently receiving medical care from Russian healthcare professionals.
The Indian missions in Russia are collaborating with local authorities to facilitate the repatriation of the deceased students’ bodies to their families. According to local media reports, the incident occurred when a female Indian student encountered difficulties while wading out from the beach on the Volkhov River, prompting four of her companions to attempt a rescue.
