Five visitors drowned while swimming after a religious gathering, while one young woman was rescued in the tragic Tungabhadra river incident
Raichur: A tragic drowning incident near Mantralaya in Karnataka's Raichur district claimed the lives of five people after they entered the Tungabhadra River for a swim following a religious function on Sunday. The victims were part of a group that had gathered at a relative's residence to attend a Satyanarayana Puja before the outing ended in disaster.
According to preliminary information, the group proceeded to the river after the religious ceremony. While swimming, several members reportedly ventured into a deeper section of the Tungabhadra River without being aware of the sudden change in water depth. The situation quickly turned critical, resulting in multiple drownings.
The deceased have been identified as Yuvan Chandra (5), Satish (35), a resident of Hyderabad, Raghavendra (25), Dhanush (23), and Sandhya (22), all of whom were part of the gathering. Another young woman, identified as Aparna, narrowly escaped death and was rescued safely.
Tungabhadra River Drowning Tragedy Shocks Mantralaya
The incident has sent shockwaves through Mantralaya and surrounding areas, where residents and devotees frequently visit the riverbanks. Local authorities said the victims had entered the water for recreation after the completion of the Satyanarayana Puja.
Initial reports indicate that the group underestimated the depth and flow conditions of the river. Within moments, several individuals were pulled into deeper waters, triggering panic among those present at the scene.
"Five people lost their lives after entering a deep section of the Tungabhadra River, while one woman was rescued alive."
Search Operation Continues for Missing Victims
Rescue and recovery efforts were launched immediately after the incident was reported. Fishermen from the locality joined the search operation alongside emergency personnel.
Authorities confirmed that the bodies of Raghavendra and Sandhya had been recovered, while efforts were initially underway to locate the remaining victims. Search teams continued combing the river stretch to recover all bodies and complete the rescue operation.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers associated with swimming in unfamiliar river stretches, particularly during periods when water depth and currents can change unexpectedly.
Police Investigation Underway in Mantralaya
Senior police officials rushed to the scene soon after receiving information about the incident. Emmiganur Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhargavi visited the location, assessed the situation, and reviewed the ongoing search and rescue operations.
Officials are gathering details from eyewitnesses and family members to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal accident. The case has been registered within the jurisdiction of the Mantralaya Police Station.
"The incident occurred after participants of a family religious function entered the river for a swim, unaware of the depth and associated risks."
The loss of five lives has left families devastated and cast a shadow over what began as a religious and family gathering. Local authorities have urged visitors and pilgrims to exercise caution near riverbanks and avoid entering unfamiliar water bodies without proper safety measures.
