NewsFlash Daily™
24 May 
Ten members from one family feared dead after sudden rise in river flow during shell collection activity in Bhatkal
Karwar: A devastating river tragedy in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district has claimed 10 lives after members of a family were swept away while collecting shellfish in the Kattehakkalu river near Bhatkal. The horrifying incident has plunged the coastal region into mourning as rescue teams continue searching for one missing person.
According to officials, 14 members of the same family from Padushirali Sharadahole village near Shirali had entered the river on Saturday morning to collect “kappechippu,” a traditional shellfish commonly gathered from riverbeds and coastal stretches during low water levels.
What began as a routine family activity soon turned into one of the deadliest river tragedies reported in the Uttara Kannada district in recent years.
Bhatkal River Accident Turns Fatal After Sudden Water Surge
Authorities stated that the group, consisting of 12 women and two men, had already gathered a quantity of shellfish and placed them on the riverbank around 11 am. Witnesses said the river initially appeared calm and shallow.
However, the water current reportedly intensified suddenly, trapping several family members in the deeper section of the river before they could escape to safety. Many of them were unable to withstand the force of the rapidly increasing flow and drowned within minutes.
Officials confirmed that out of the 14 people who entered the river, 10 have died, including nine women and one man.
Three people were rescued alive and shifted to hospital for treatment, while rescue teams are continuing an intensive search operation for one person who remains missing.
Entire Family Devastated in Uttara Kannada River Tragedy
The victims belonged to the same extended family from Padushirali Sharadahole village in Bhatkal taluk, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking for local residents and relatives gathered near the riverbank.
Family members waiting at the site broke down emotionally as rescue personnel recovered bodies from the river. Local villagers, fishermen, and volunteers joined authorities in the difficult rescue and recovery operation throughout the day.
The incident has triggered widespread shock across coastal Karnataka, where shellfish collection remains a common livelihood and traditional activity in river and estuary regions.
“The sudden increase in water flow appears to be the primary reason behind the tragedy,” local officials said during the preliminary investigation.
Rescue Teams Continue Search Operation in Kattehakkalu River
Emergency personnel, local police, fishermen, and disaster response teams have been deployed in the Kattehakkalu river area to trace the missing individual.
Authorities stated that fluctuating water levels and the long river stretch have made rescue operations more challenging. Officials are monitoring the river conditions closely while continuing recovery efforts.
The rescued survivors are currently undergoing treatment and observation at a nearby hospital.
Karnataka River Safety Concerns Intensify After Tragedy
The tragedy has once again raised serious concerns over safety awareness in river and coastal areas where residents often enter water bodies for fishing, shellfish collection, and similar traditional activities.
Experts noted that sudden surges in river flow, hidden deep pockets, and unpredictable currents can quickly turn calm-looking water bodies into dangerous zones, particularly during changing weather conditions.
Local authorities are expected to review safety measures and issue stronger warnings in vulnerable river regions following the incident.
