Two Indian college students from California died after being swept into the ocean by rising tides while resting near a notoriously dangerous stretch of coastline in Santa Cruz County, leaving their families and communities in shock.
Authorities identified the victims as Harshita Nair, 21, and Mahial Sran, 20, both residents of Fremont, California. The friends were reportedly near a rock formation known as the “Keyhole” at Bonny Doon and Panther Beach when rapidly rising waters pulled them into the sea on June 10. Rescue teams responded after an emergency call reported two people struggling in the surf.
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Emergency responders, including rescue swimmers, firefighters, and state park personnel, launched a large-scale operation to reach the women. One victim was airlifted from the beach while the other was carried to safety by rescue crews. Despite the efforts, Nair died shortly after being rescued, while Sran succumbed to her injuries several days later.
The tragedy has drawn attention to the dangers of the Keyhole area, a narrow rock passage that provides access to nearby beaches but can quickly become hazardous when tides rise. Officials said the location has repeatedly caught visitors off guard and has been the site of multiple rescue operations in recent weeks.
Nair was studying legal studies at University of California, Berkeley, while Sran was pursuing a degree in public health at San José State University. Both were graduates of Washington High School and were remembered by friends and classmates as ambitious young women with promising futures.
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The incident occurred amid unusually hazardous ocean conditions along the California coast, where authorities have warned of strong rip currents, sneaker waves, and king tides. Officials have urged beachgoers to check tide forecasts, avoid isolated rock formations, and remain alert to changing surf conditions.
For the families of the two students, the sudden loss has been devastating. Nair’s father told media outlets he remained in shock as relatives struggled to comprehend the tragedy that claimed the lives of two young women at the start of promising careers.