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In a tragic incident, at least 11 people drowned in the Thatte Hakkalu river near Bhatkal in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district on Sunday. Meanwhile, three others, who were stated to be in a serious condition, were undergoing treatment in a hospital.
It is learnt that a total of 14 people had gone together to collect shellfish from the river when the tragedy occurred. The incident has sent shock waves across the district.
Authorities said 10 bodies have been recovered so far, while search operations are continuing for one more missing person identified as Madeva Bairappa Nayak.
VIDEO | Uttara Kannada: Ten people are feared dead after drowning in the Bhatkal river in Uttara Kannada district. Search and rescue operations are currently underway.
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— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 24, 2026
8 Among Deceased Were From Same Family
The group of 14, including eight from the same family, from Shirali village in Bhatkal taluk, had entered the river together to collect shellfish. Local residents managed to rescue three people from the water and shifted them to the Bhatkal Government Hospital for treatment.
The deceased include Malathi Jattappa Nayak, Lakshmi Madeva Nayak, Lakshmi Shivaram Nayak, Lakshmi Annappa Nayak, Umesh Manjunath Nayak, Lakshmi Madheva Nayak, Jyothi Nagappa Nayak, Mastamma Manjunath Nayak, Madeva Bairappa Nayak, Manjamma Goyda Nayak and Nagaratna Parameshwar Nayak.
The injured undergoing treatment have been identified as Madevi Manjunath Nayak, 60, Latha Jagadeesh Nayak, 38, and Nagaratna Eshwar Nayak, 40.
CM Siddaramaiah Condoles Death
Following the deadly incident, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed grief over the tragedy and announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
“…I pray that the departed souls find eternal peace. This is an extremely tragic and painful incident. On humanitarian grounds, the state government will provide compensation of 5 lakh rupees each to the families of those who perished in the disaster. There is also information that some others are missing in this accident, and an intensive search is underway for them. Let us all pray to God that those who are missing return alive and reunite with their loved ones,” the CM said.
President Murmu, Vice President Radhakrishnan Express Grief
Further, President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the deaths and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The news of the tragic loss of lives in an accident in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka is very distressing. I extend my deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) May 24, 2026
“The news of the tragic loss of lives in an accident in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka is very distressing. I extend my deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured,” Murmu tweeted.
Expressing grief, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy.
Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the unfortunate drowning incident in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka.
My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I pray for strength and courage to them to endure this irreparable loss, and for the…
— Vice-President of India (@VPIndia) May 24, 2026
“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the unfortunate drowning incident in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I pray for strength and courage to them to endure this irreparable loss, and for the safe tracing of the missing persons,” he wrote on X.
