Karwar (Karnataka), May 24 (IANS) The death toll in the shellfish tragedy, in which members of a family drowned while collecting shellfish in a river in Karnataka’s Karwar district on Sunday, has risen to 10.
Locals rescued three people, while a search is underway for another missing family member.
The identities of two other persons are yet to be ascertained. Further details are awaited.
Condoling the deaths, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced Rs 5 lakh compensation each for the families of the deceased persons.
The Chief Minister said, “I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic incident near Tattehakkalu coast in Bhatkal of Karwar district, where members of the same family drowned while they had gone to collect shellfish. I pray for the eternal peace of the departed souls.
“This is an extremely unfortunate and painful incident. On humanitarian grounds, the State Government will provide compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy,” Siddaramaiah wrote in a post on X.
He further said, “It is also reported that a few people are still missing in the incident, and intensive search operations are underway to trace them. Let us all pray that the missing persons return safely to their loved ones.”
Among the deceased, eight people have been identified as Lakshmi Madev Naik (38), Lakshmi Shivaram Naik (39), Malati Jattappa Naik (38), Mastamma Manjunath Naik (43), Lakshmi Naik, Lakshmi Annappa Naik (44), Jyoti Naik and Umesh Manjunath Naik.
All the victims belonged to the same family and were residents of Sharadahole in Padushirali village near Shirali in Bhatkal taluk.
The tragic incident occurred in the Tattehakkalu river near Bhatkal in Karwar district. According to officials, a group of 14 people had entered the river to collect shellfish when several of them got trapped in deep water.
A large number of locals gathered near the river, praying for the safe return of those still missing.
According to police, people in coastal regions often venture into rivers or shallow sea areas to collect shellfish when water levels recede. The family had similarly gone to the Tattehakkalu river for shellfish collection.
Preliminary information suggests that they may have unknowingly entered a deeper portion of the river, leading to the tragedy.
Karwar Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmi Priya said that a team of 14 people had gone to the river. However, he stated that eight deaths had been confirmed based on preliminary information.
“NDRF personnel have been rushed to the spot. Local police are also conducting rescue operations. Water levels are expected to recede further, after which search efforts will be intensified,” she said.
–IANS
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