A school tour to the coastal counties turned tragic after seven children drowned at the Indian Ocean in Diani, Kwale County yesterday evening.

The pupils from St Martin Primary School in Murang’a County are reported to have been swimming at the pavilion beach around 5:30pm when the tragedy occurred.

Reports indicate that those who drowned were swept into the sea when high tides suddenly rose, resulting to rough waters that overwhelmed the pupils.

Three pupils died on the way to hospital after being retrieved from the waters and a fourth body was recovered later and a search has been going on to find three more pupils who cannot be accounted for. Red Cross officials said by yesterday evening 48 pupils out of 56 had been accounted for. The other students from the school are currently undergoing psychological counselling.