Kundapura: 21-Year-Old Drowns While Swimming With Friends in Suligundi Hirehole River

Mangalore Today News Network

Kundapura, June 14, 2026: A 21-year-old college student went missing after drowning while swimming in the Suligundi Hirehole river at Beloor village under Thekkatte gram panchayat limits on Saturday evening. The incident occurred around 4.30 pm.

The missing youth has been identified as Samaraj, a resident of Garikematha and a final-year BCom student at a private institution. According to reports, he was part of a group of seven friends from Saheberakatte who had visited the area and were standing on the Konabage bridge connecting Beloor and Achladi. Believing the water level to be low, Samaraj entered the river for a swim but was swept away by a strong undercurrent following a sudden surge in water inflow.

Kundapur fire brigade personnel and local disaster management team members launched a search operation using boats, but the effort was suspended late Saturday evening due to heavy monsoon rains and poor visibility. Police said diving expert Eshwar Malpe will join the rescue teams on Sunday to continue the search.