Pacific School Games: Five Indian junior athletes washed away, 1 dies in Australia

A junior Indian football player died in the incident. (Representational Image)
A junior Indian football player died in the incident. (Representational Image)

What's the Story

A casual outing at Glenelg beach in Australia turned tragic for 5 Indian school girls when they were swept away by the sea. A rescue team was deployed but they were only able to rescue four of the victims. The body of the 5th victim was found washed ashore on Monday morning.

In case you didn't know

The five were part of the Indian contingent participating in the Pacific School Games. The four survivors have been hospitalised but one of the girls is in a critical condition.

The heart of the matter

The President of School Sports Australia responded to the tragic incident, conveying his condolences to the victim.

"Following the completion of the Games on Saturday there was a tragic accident at Glenelg beach yesterday which has taken the life of one of the members of the visiting Indian delegation," he said.

"All involved in the Games send our condolences to the Indian team, family and friends of the deceased student. The thoughts of all in the Pacific School Games family are also with the four members of the team who are still in hospital. School Sports Australia is offering full support and assistance to the Indian Delegation," he said.

The deceased victim's kin requested that the girl's body be returned home to India. They also asked the authorities to conduct an investigation into the incident.

It has been confirmed now that the name of the girl was Nitisha Negi, who was part of the football team representing India and hailed from Delhi.

What next?

Recreation and Sports Minister Leon Bignell said that the South Australia government would pay for the girl’s body to be taken back to India. It wasn't the first time such an incident occurred as 2 boys drowned in the same area on New Year's Day, 2016.

Sportskeeda's take

While our hearts go out to the family of the deceased and wish a quick recovery for the other victims. It must be debated as to why the 5 girls went swimming in the sea without any supervision.