UPDATE: Prayer vigil for two UCSC students swept out to sea

UPDATE 1/20/2016 1:00 PM: UCSC released more information about what happened when the two students were swept out to sea.

According to the university,Shireen Agha Ahsan, 19, andAhmad Solaiman Nourzaie, 25, were hiking with friends when the tragedy occurred. They were on a rock when a large wave swept them and another student out to sea.

In a statement, Chancellor George Blumenthal said, “I want to extend my deepest sympathies to their families, friends, and classmates at this very difficult time. Ms. Ahsan and Mr. Nourzaie were early in their college and professional careers with promising futures ahead. It is heartbreaking to think they may no longer be with us.”

A prayer vigil has been planned for Ms Ahsan, a Kresge College sophomore from Palo Alto, and Mr. Nourzaie, a College Nine sophomore from San Jose majoring in Earth and planetary sciences. It’s at 2 p.m. at Bonny Doon Beach.

Studentswho wish to speak with someone can contact Counseling and Psychological
Services (CAPS) at (831) 459-2628.

UPDATE 1/20/2016 1:17AM: After 22 hours of an extensive search, the U.S. Coast Guard has suspended search efforts for the two missing students.

Tuesday proved to be a challenging search and rescue effort for two missing U.C. Santa Cruz students, made even more difficult by high surf. Family and friends are understandably distraught.

“I am upset. He is a really good guy. I can’t believe it. He would jump in there and save someone,” uncle Mohammed Rasuli said.

Rasuli’s nephew, is one of the students missing, a 25-year-old from San Jose. Rescue crews also said a 19-year-old woman from Palo Alto was part of the group that went out onto rocks to watch the waves Monday night at Bonny Doon State Beach. The group got stuck.

“A large wave came in, knocked three of them into the water. One them managed to return safely onto the rock… two other were swept out to sea in the large surf and the large current,” CA State Parks Superintendent Bill Wolcott said.

Crews searched all Monday and again Tuesday. However the weather conditions made it very difficult.

“Given the weather conditions and the strong current, it is going to be difficult to make a rescue in this at this point especially given the time frame. Really the critical time frame was last night,” Wolcott said.

But family members aren’t giving up hope.

“I am upset. But I am hopeful. I am hoping he is still out here,” Rasuli said.

Rescue officials want to remind people if you do go out to check out the high surf make sure they do some from a safe distance.

UPDATE 1/19/2016 1:02PM: The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office confirms two UCSC students from the Bay Area are missing after they were swept away at Bonny Doon Beach on Monday.

Deputies said one is a 20-year-old woman from Palo Alto and the other is a 26-year-old man from San Jose. Their names are not being released right now.

The sheriff’s office said family members were down in the area last night to help to look for them.

ORIGINAL STORY: The Santa Cruz Fire Department says two UCSC students, one male and one female, are missing after an incident at Bonny Doon Beach.

Just after 5 p.m., Cal Fire asked the Santa Cruz Fire Department for assistance with a water rescue at the beach. Callers said several people were stuck on rocks and two others were in the ocean.

Cal Fire and Santa Cruz Fire used a rope system to rescue the victims stuck on the rocks, about 70 feet down a cliff on the south side of Bonny Doon Beach.

Crews continued searching for the two missing victims. The ocean conditions were so tough that rescue swimmers could not enter the water. The Coast Guard utilized their helicopter and boat.

Helicopter operators thought they saw two people in a cave, but then had to leave to refuel. Two Santa Cruz Rescue Swimmers rappelled to a rock near the cave, but didn’t locate any victims.

Cal Fire, Santa Cruz Fire, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, Coast Guard and State Parks are continuing to search. They remind people to use extreme caution around the ocean during high surf and when there are riptides.