Santa Cruz County, California – Family members, friends, classmates, and university communities are mourning the loss of Harsнιтa Nair, 21, and Mahial Sran, 20, after the two college students were swept into the ocean along the Santa Cruz County coastline during a day at the beach.
Authorities identified Harsнιтa Nair as a UC Berkeley legal studies student and Mahial Sran as a public health student at San Jose State University.
Both young women were graduates of Washington High School in Fremont and were expected to complete their degrees in 2027.
Emergency crews launched a large rescue operation after receiving reports that the pair had been pulled into the water near a hazardous coastal area.
Rescue swimmers reached both students and transported them to local hospitals, but despite medical efforts, both later pᴀssed away.
Investigators believe dangerous surf conditions and a possible sneaker wave or rapidly rising tide contributed to the tragedy.
Officials have warned that the stretch of coastline near Panther Beach and Yellow Bank Beach is known for unpredictable ocean conditions that can quickly trap visitors.
UC Berkeley and San Jose State University released statements expressing their condolences to the families and friends of Harsнιтa Nair and Mahial Sran, describing the loss as heartbreaking for both campuses.
Friends remembered Harsнιтa Nair as a compᴀssionate and joyful student who was pᴀssionate about helping others, while Mahial Sran was described as a dedicated public health student with a bright future and a strong commitment to her community.
Flowers, candles, and handwritten messages have been placed in their memory as classmates and residents gather to honor their lives.
The tragedy has also renewed calls for increased awareness of California’s dangerous coastal conditions and the risks posed by sneaker waves and changing tides.
Authorities continue urging beachgoers to remain alert, check tide conditions, and avoid isolated shoreline areas, hoping to prevent similar tragedies while the families of Harsнιтa Nair and Mahial Sran remember two young women whose lives touched countless people.