President condoles death of students in Himachal

New Delhi, June 9: President Pranab Mukherjee Monday condoled the loss of lives of

who were washed away on the banks of river Beas in

.

He also requested the state government to take necessary action to investigate the cause of the accident and ensure that such accidents do not happen in future.

"I am sure the state government is providing all possible assistance to the bereaved families of the students. Kindly ask concerned authorities to make speedy efforts to rescue survivors," Mukherjee said in a message to Himachal Pradesh Governor Urmila Singh.

"Necessary action may please be also taken to investigate the cause of the accident and ensure that such mistakes do not happen in future."

Twenty-four students from an engineering college of Hyderabad were swept away

He added: "I am extremely sad to learn about the accident in which some students from Hyderabad were washed away in the Beas river near Thalaut in Mandi district. I understand search and rescue operations are currently underway."

At least 24 students, including six girls, of the VNR Vignana Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology in Hyderabad were reported missing after strong currents in the mighty Beas river washed them away.

Five bodies were found in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district, officials said.

IANS