8 of family drown while collecting mussels in Karnataka river

A tragic river accident in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district has left eight people feared dead and three others missing after a group collecting freshwater mussels reportedly drowned in the Venkatapura river.

According to initial information, 14 people had gone together to collect mussel shells when the incident took place. Among those feared dead are seven women and one man.

Three others were rescued from the river and shifted to the government hospital, while two injured women were later referred to a hospital in Udupi for further treatment.

The victims are believed to be residents of Saradahole in Shirali.

RESCUE OPERATION UNDERWAY

Panic spread across the area after the group went missing in the river, prompting local residents and authorities to launch rescue efforts.

Police from Bhatkal Rural Police Station rushed to the spot and search operations are continuing to trace the missing persons.

Authorities said three people are still unaccounted for, including two women and one man.

The missing persons have been identified as: Madeva Jattappa Naik (52), Manjamma Gotta Naik (50) and Nagarathna Parameshwar Naik (40).

DECEASED IDENTIFIED

Officials said six bodies were brought to Bhatkal Government Hospital:

• Lakshmi Mahadeva Naik, 38
• Lakshmi Mahadeva Naik
• Lakshmi Shivaram Naik, 39
• Umesh Manjunath Naik, 42
• Mastamma Manjunath Naik, 43
• Lakshmi Annappa Naik, 44

Two other bodies were shifted to Murudeshwar Government Hospital:

• Jyothi Nagappa Naik, 37
• Malathi Jattappa Naik, 38

All were residents of the Padushirali Saradahole area in Bhatkal.

The injured women undergoing treatment have been identified as Nagarathna Eshwar Naik and Madevi Naik.

GOVERNMENT REACTS

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar described the incident as unfortunate and said rescue efforts remain the government’s immediate focus.

“The Karwar incident should not have happened, but unfortunately it has happened. Mankal Vaidya has briefed me about the situation,” Shivakumar said.

“He is now heading to Karwar. Rescue operations are currently underway. Our first priority is to save lives. We will announce compensation later,” he added.

Further details are awaited as rescue teams continue search operations in the river.

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