Claim: Two California college students, Harshita Nair and Mahi Al Saran, died after powerful sneaker waves and rising tides swept them into the ocean near a rock formation at Panther Beach in Santa Cruz County.
85%Verification:
- Name error: The second victim is identified in official reports and multiple news sources as Mahial Sran, not "Mahi Al Saran"1234. This appears to be a significant misspelling or misreading of the actual name.
- College students: Both victims were California college students — Harshita Nair, 21, attended UC Berkeley, and Mahial Sran, 20, attended San Jose State University24.
- Location: The incident occurred at Panther Beach (also referred to as Yellow Bank Beach or Bonny Doon Beach) in Santa Cruz County, near a natural rock archway known as "the keyhole"143.
- Cause: Both women were swept into the ocean by rising tides and possibly a sneaker wave while near the keyhole area; a large south swell was impacting local beaches with powerful currents and sneaker waves at the time41.
- Outcome: Both were rescued from the water and transported to hospitals, but neither survived134.
Overall validity: 85%
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