A tragic incident occurred on Thursday morning at a private English-medium school in Asansol, where a Class-VI student died after drowning during a swimming session as part of a summer camp.
The deceased has been identified as 12-year-old Advik Hilarian, a resident of Huchukpara in Lower Chelidanga, Asansol. The incident took place at St. Vincent's School in West Bengal.
According to school sources, students were participating in a scheduled swimming training session when Advik reportedly went underwater suddenly. Other students present alerted authorities, following which he was immediately pulled out of the pool and rushed to Asansol District Hospital. Doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Officials confirmed that the Asansol South Police Station has initiated an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the incident and to assess whether there was any negligence or violation of safety protocols during the training session. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination at Asansol District Hospital.
As news of the tragedy spread, a wave of grief engulfed the school premises. Guardians, school authorities, and local residents gathered at the hospital, where emotional scenes were witnessed. The school principal, Ravi Victor, was also present at the hospital along with the bereaved family.
Police sources said that the investigation will focus on safety arrangements at the swimming facility and whether proper supervision was in place at the time of the incident.
The incident has once again raised concerns over safety standards in school swimming pools. Locals recalled previous similar incidents in the region, intensifying public concern over student safety during extracurricular training activities.
Speaking on the matter, a parent expressed shock and sorrow, stating that while the school maintained a close relationship with guardians, the incident must be thoroughly investigated to determine responsibility and prevent future tragedies.
School principal Ravi Victor said that an internal inquiry will also be conducted alongside the police investigation. He added that despite the presence of a trainer during the session, the accident occurred unexpectedly. He further stated that the school’s immediate priority is to support the bereaved family and ensure full cooperation with authorities.
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