Two Bay Area college students, Harshita Nair (21) of UC Berkeley and Mahial Sran (20) of San Jose State University, died after being swept into the ocean near Panther Beach in Santa Cruz County.

The women were pulled from the water on June 10 after a sudden wave pushed them into the sea, and rescue crews rushed them to hospitals.

Authorities confirmed that Nair died on June 11 and Sran died on June 14.

Officials said the incident occurred during dangerous coastal conditions, with strong rip currents and sneaker waves reported along California beaches, USA Today has reported.

Community leaders expressed grief over the loss while warning the public about increased water safety risks ahead of crowded summer beach conditions.