Representative image of drowning.
Credit: iStock Photo
Bhatkal/Mulabagilu: Four girl students of Morarji Desai Residential School near M Kotturu in Mulabagilu taluk of Kolar district drowned in the sea at Murudeshwar in Bhatkal taluk of Uttara Kannada district.
While playing at the beach, seven girls were caught by huge waves on Tuesday evening.
One Shravanti Gopalappa drowned, three were missing, and life guards had saved three girls. Bodies of Deeksha J, Lavanya and Vandana were traced on Wednesday, after coast guard police and local fishermen launched the search operation. All were ninth standard students, aged 15.
Deputy Commissioner Laxmipriya and Assistant Commissioner Nayana supervised the search operation led by Coast Guard CPI Kusumadhara.
A total of 54 persons including 46 students and eight teachers of the school had come for a school trip to Murdeshwar. Yashodha, Veekshana and Lipika, who were rescued, were shifted to the hospital.
In connection with the case, the school principal Shashikala and guest teachers have been suspended from the service, and a probe is ordered.
CM announces ex-gratia
Condoling the death of four students, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced Rs five lakh compensation each for the families of the deceased. Uttara Kannada deputy commissioner has been instructed to make arrangements to shift the bodies to the native places of the deceased, he said.
In his post on 'X', Siddaramaiah said, "Teachers should give more attention to children during tours, especially during the visit to dangerous places. I pray that such incidents do not repeat".