The Indian mission in St Petersburg is working with the local authorities to send the mortal remains to their relatives
In a tragic incident, four Indian students drowned in a river near St Petersburg, Russia; a fifth student who was also present with them was saved and is currently receiving medical attention. All five students belong to Jalgaon district in Maharashtra.
 
Sharing information about the unfortunate incident on Friday (June 7, 2024), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian students were studying at the Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University located in Veliky Novgorod, Russia.
 
According to the Indian Consulate in St Petersburg, all of them were pursuing medical education at the university. Veliky Novgorod is about 190 kilometres from St Petersburg.
 
According to Russian media reports, a female Indian student who waded out from the beach on the river Volkhov got into trouble, and four of her companions tried to save her. Three others also drowned in the river while attempting to save her.
 
“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 students continues,” the MEA said.
 
The Indian Consulate in St Petersburg said the girl student who was saved was being provided proper medical attention, including psychological treatment. In a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, the consulate said it was working together with the local authorities of Veliky Novgorod to send the mortal remains to the relatives as soon as possible. The bereaved families have been contacted and assured of all possible help, the post added.
 
“Consulate General of India in St. Petersburg, Russia is working together with the local authorities of Veliky Novgorod to send the mortal remains to the relatives as soon as possible. The bereaved families have been contacted and assured of all the possible help,” the Indian mission said.

“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," the mission added.