Two drown during idol immersion

Two men drowned in River Phalguni at Mullarapatna in Bantwal taluk during the immersion of Sharada idol on Thursday.

The dead have been identified as Satish Bhandari, 35, a resident of Kuppepadavu and Yogish Pujari, 25, of Nelyalachchil village. While the body of Bhandari was recovered by Thursday evening, the search continues for the body of Pujari.

The incident occurred when the idol of Sharadadevi was brought for immersion in the river Wednesday night. Only four people ventured into the river with the idol of whom two drowned.

Lakshmana Sapalya, who survived in the tragedy, said he was washed away in the high currents of the river and swam to safety near Karmaragundi.