Surabhi Verma, a PhD student of the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), died at Juna Lothal in Gujarat when soil collapsed in the trench she was present in to collect samples for geological research. Buried under the soil, she couldn’t breathe, and by the time someone could respond, she was already dead.
A 24-year-old student of IIT Delhi, Surabhi was there to collect sand samples along with Yama Dixit (Assistant Professor at IIT Delhi). The tragic incident took place at around 10:30 am. Assistant Professor Yama Dixit is hospitalized in Ahmedabad and is not facing any risk to her life. She was rescued by locals. It is learned that two Assistant Professors from IIT Gandhinagar were also present at the site.