Delhi schoolgirl drowns in Australia

New Delhi: A 15-year-old female footballer from Delhi, who had gone to take part in the unrecognised Pacific School Games in Australia, died after being drowned at the Glenelg Beach in Adelaide on Monday, a top official of School Games Federation of India (SGFI) said.

The school girl, Nitisha Negi, was one of the five Indian footballers who were swept away by a huge wave on Sunday when they ventured into the seawaters after the completion of the Games.

SGFI, which is headed by double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar, had fielded U-18 teams in six disciplines including hockey, football and softball for the invitational event, jointly organised by the Australian government and School Sports Australia.

These Games were not recognised by the International School Sports Federation, the parent international body. The Indian contingent had around 120 members.

Four of the five girls were rescued by local surf lifesavers on Sunday while the fifth one was found dead after resumption of search operation on Monday morning. Her dead body was recovered near a rocky breakwater, the same section of beach where the two migrant boys drowned last year.

The sports ministry has ordered an inquiry into the unfortunate incident.

SGFI secretary-general Rajesh Mishra confirmed to PTI that the dead body of the girl was recovered early this morning by the local Australian officials.

“We have got the message from Australia that the dead body of the girl was recovered this morning after a massive search operation. It is a very unfortunate incident and I send my heartfelt condolences to her family,” Mr Mishra said from Agra on phone.

“Before returning home, the sports manager had taken some players to sea beach last evening. Out of them five girls from the football team had gone down into the seawater and were taking selfies. They must not have seen a huge wave coming from behind, they fell down and all the five were swept away,” he said.

Four of them were rescued by the lifesavers stationed at the beach, with the help of around 40 Indian players and coaches. “Helicopters came and the four girls were taken to nearby hospitals, but the fifth one went missing. The local Australian officials continued the search and I can confirm that the dead body of the fifth girl was found this morning,” Mishra said.

He said all the five school girls, including the one who died, were from Delhi. “Out of the four who were taken to the hospital, three have been discharged while the fourth girl is likely to be discharged shortly.

She (the fourth girl) was kept at the ICU but is now out of danger and will be discharged tomorrow,” Mr Mishra said.