The bodies of 10 girls and three boys were found at Murud beach in Raigad district, some150 kilometres south of Mumbai.
“They had gone for a swim but were pulled to the sea by strong currents, the victims are all aged between 17 and 20 years,” Area Police Chief Rajendra Dandale, told newsmen.
Dandale said the deceased were part of a group of 126 students from a college in the nearby city of Pune who had come for a picnic at the popular tourist spot.
He said that six students, who were rescued from the sea, were receiving treatment at a local hospital, while the remaining students were safe and had been taken away from the beach. [myad]