Eight high school students drowned in the Arabian Sea on Thursday during an educational institute picnic at Diveagar beach in  Maharashtra state in the Western India, local police said.

Authorities confirmed that the bodies of all eight victims have been recovered following a search operation.

The victims were Grade 11 and Grade 12 students from Winners Academy, a private coaching institute based in Alandi in the neighboring Pune district. The group had traveled to the popular coastal spot for a day trip. 

According to officials, the students entered the water while visiting the beach, roughly 170 kilometres south of Mumbai, when strong currents swept them away. Diveagar is a widely visited tourist destination known for its coastline and historical temples. 

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.