Student from Maharashtra drowns in sea at Kanathur beach, another missing

Two people, including a woman, drowned at Kanathur beach during a picnic; search for one victim ongoing.

A female student from Maharashtra, who had come on a picnic to Chennai with a larger group, drowned in the sea at Kanathur beach on Saturday (February 21, 2026) evening while one other male student who was washed away in the sea is missing. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has sought the help of the Tamil Nadu government to provide all assistance to the family of the victims. 

A senior officer of the Tambaram Police Commissionerate said a group of 26 students from Maharashtra had come on a picnic to the Kanathur beach on the East Coast Road (ECR) on Saturday evening. Out of this group, three students identified as Mayuri Chaudhury, Jai Patil and Raj Kedari, entered into the water when a huge wave dragged them inside. On seeing this, the other students pulled out Mayuri and Raj, while Jai Patil could not be rescued.

The students took Mayuri and Raj to a nearby private hospital, where Mayuri was pronounced dead. With the help of local fishermen, the Kanathur police who were alerted, are searching for Jai who was swept away in the sea. 

In a social media post, Mr. Fadnavis sought the State government’s help to expedite the search and rescue operations and provide all possible assistance. “The state (Maharashtra) administration remains in constant contact with the concerned families and is providing all necessary help,” he added.

According to police sources, the relatives of Mayuri Chaudhary of Bhandara district and Jai Patil have reached the city.