Five drown as coracle capsizes in Tungabhadra

Five persons met a watery grave when the coracle in which they were sailing capsized in Tungabhadra river near Mylara in Huvinahadagali taluk of Bellary district on Tuesday afternoon.

However, the oarsman of the coracle and five others swam ashore to safety.

The victims are Gollappa Dharwad (22), Siddappa Fakirappa Hebballi (18), Siddappa Bheemappa Mallaur (23), Mudukappa Arjunapppa Mallur (18) all from Aminbhavi village of Dharwad district and Manjappa Shivappa Upadhyaya (25)  of Shiggaon taluk in Haveri district.

Bodies of two of the victims were recovered by 6 pm, while the search for the other three bodies continued. These youths had come with others in a tractor to attend the Kshetra Mylara jatra (fair). They had a bath in the river and went on a ride in a coracle to the other side of the river. While returning the coracle capsized when negotiating a turn.

While the five others managed to swim ashore to safety, the oarsman of the coracle  also escaped.

The police have launched a search for him. A case has been registered by the Hirehadagahali police.