In Karnataka, eight members of a family, including seven women, drowned in the Tatte Hakkalu river in Uttara Kannada district today. The mishap occurred when they were collecting freshwater mussels and were swept away by strong currents.
Police said around 14 people from Shirali village had entered the river for mussel collection when overnight rainfall increased the water flow. As a few members were carried away by the current, others attempted to rescue them, resulting in the tragedy. Three persons were rescued, while search operations are underway for three others who are missing.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced an ex-gratia of five lakh rupees for the next of kin of each deceased.
President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief over the loss of lives in a drowning incident in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. In a social media post, President Murmu said that the news of the loss of lives in the accident is distressing. She has prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Mr Radhakrishnan has also conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. The Vice President prayed for strength and courage for the families to endure the irreparable loss and for the safe tracing of the missing persons.
The Prime Minister extended his condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and prayed for the earliest recovery of the injured. Mr Modi has also announced an ex gratia of two lakh rupees from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased. He noted that 50 thousand rupees would be provided to those who sustained injuries in the incident.
