Bhatkal: In a tragic incident reported from the coastal town of Bhatkal in Karnataka on Sunday, 11 fisherfolk drowned after the water level in the Tattihakkal river at Shirali suddenly surged, sweeping them away in the strong current. Most of the victims were women. Three others sustained serious injuries and were shifted to a hospital in Manipal after receiving initial treatment.
According to police, the incident occurred around 10 am when a group of 14 fisherfolk, including 12 women from the Sharada Hole area of Shirali, had entered the river to collect oyster meat locally known as “Kalwa Maas” in Nawayathi and Konkani languages. During the activity, the water level in the river reportedly rose abruptly, and the strong current trapped all those who were inside the river.
Eyewitnesses said local residents rushed to the spot after hearing cries for help and immediately launched rescue efforts. During the operation, 11 persons were pulled out of the river, but eight of them had already died by then. The three injured survivors were first shifted to the Bhatkal Government Hospital and later referred to a hospital in Manipal after their condition turned critical.
Soon after the incident, local fishermen, Coastal Security Police personnel and other rescue teams launched a search operation using boats to trace the missing persons. At around 5 pm, the body of one woman was recovered from the river, followed by the recovery of another woman’s body at around 6.30 pm, taking the death toll to 10 by evening, while the search for the remaining missing person continued.
Taking stock of the situation, Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police (SP) Deepan M.N., Deputy Commissioner (DC) Lakshmi Priya, Bhatkal Assistant Commissioner Mahesh, Tahsildar Nagendra Kolshetty and several other senior officials visited the spot and monitored the rescue operations. The officials later visited the Bhatkal Government Hospital and consoled the grieving family members of the victims.
The deceased have been identified as Malathi Jattappa Naik (38), Lakshmi Madhev Naik Padushirali (46), Lakshmi Shivaram Naik (40), Lakshmi Annappa Naik (50), Umesh Manjunath Naik (25), Lakshmi Madhv Naik (45), Jyoti Nagappa Naik (38), Mastamma Manjunath Naik (45), Manjamma Goida Naik (35) and Nagaratna Parmeshwar Naik (38).
Rescue operations were continuing to trace the remaining missing fisherfolk, identified as Madheva Beerappa Naik (40).
A case has been registered at the Bhatkal Rural Police Station.
Karnataka CM expresses grief
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed grief over the tragedy, stating that he was deeply pained by the loss of lives in the incident. In a post on X, the Chief Minister termed the incident “extremely unfortunate and heartbreaking” and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the deceased on humanitarian grounds. He also said that intensive search operations were underway to trace the remaining missing fisherfolk and prayed for their safe recovery.
Several political leaders and public representatives also condoled the deaths. Uttara Kannada district in-charge minister Mankal S. Vaidya described the incident as “heart-rending” and said the matter had been brought to the notice of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. Uttara Kannada MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri termed the tragedy “deeply painful” and said efforts would be made to secure compensation for the victims’ families from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. Senior Congress leader R.V. Deshpande and MLA Shivaram Hebbar also expressed shock over the incident and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, while praying for the safe recovery of the remaining missing fisherfolk.