4 Maharashtra students drown in river near St Petersburg

New Delhi: Four Indian students who were studying at a university in Veliky Novgorod, near St Petersburg, in Russia, drowned in an unfortunate incident in the Volkhov river, a statement said on Friday.

In the incident, a fifth Indian student was saved from drowning and is presently receiving medical attention.

The five students involved in the accident belong to Jalgaon district of Maharashtra.

They were medical students at the Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University.

The Indian Consulate in St. Petersburg is in contact with the university and local authorities and is providing all possible assistance.

Local emergency services have so far recovered two dead bodies from the Volkhov river.

“We offer our condolences to the families. The search for remaining two missing student continues.

The Indian Consulate in St. Petersburg is coordinating with local authorities for the repatriation of the mortal remains," the statement said.

The Consulate is also in contact with the families and the district administration in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, it added.

The Indian Consulate in St Petersburg said that “Proper medical, incl. psychological treatment is being provided to the girl student who was saved. These students were pursuing medical education in Veliky Novgorod State University. Sincere condolences to the bereaved families."