11 of Family Feared Drowned in River Near Bhatkal

Mangalore Today News Network

Karwar, May 24, 2026: At least 11 members of a family are feared drowned after a 14-member group was swept away in the Thattihakkala river delta near Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada district on Sunday.

Three persons were rescued and shifted to hospital, with one of them reported to be in critical condition and later referred to a hospital in Manipal.

The deceased have been identified as Lakshmi Mahadeva Naika (42), Umesh Naika (30), Lakshmi Naika (30), Laxmi Annappa Naika (60), Laxmi Shivaram Naika (49), Jyothi Naika (34), Malathi Naika (38) and Masthamma Naika. Three others are still missing.

According to police, all 14 persons belonged to the same family from Padu Shirali and had entered the estuary area, where collecting seashells is a common activity among locals.

Heavy rains and rough sea conditions over the past two days reportedly caused sudden fluctuations in the river current, dragging the group into deeper waters.

Local residents managed to rescue three persons, while police, Coast Guard and Fire and Emergency Services personnel launched a search operation. So far, eight bodies have been recovered, while efforts are continuing to trace the remaining missing persons.