Three students from Karnataka drown in Tungabhadra; victims were on Mantralayam pilgrimage
Their bodies were recovered by police divers on Sunday afternoon
By Newsmeter Network
Representational Image
Kurnool: Tragedy struck at the Mantralayam pilgrimage centre in Andhra Pradeshās Kurnool district as three devotees from Karnataka drowned in the Tungabhadra river on Saturday. Their bodies were recovered by police divers on Sunday afternoon.
Victims identified
The deceased were identified as Sachin (20), Pramod (20) and Ajith (19), all degree students from Javagallu in Hassan district of Karnataka. They were part of a group of seven devotees who had travelled to Mantralayam for darshan.
Bathing turns fatal
According to police, the trio entered the river to bathe and click photographs before their return journey home. Sachin reportedly slipped and began drowning, prompting Pramod and Ajith to jump in to rescue him. Unfortunately, all three were swept away by strong undercurrents.
Fourth youth rescued
Another friend, Ragunath, also attempted to save them but began drowning himself. Locals managed to rescue him in time.
Warnings ignored
The youth had entered the river despite repeated warnings from local police and temple authorities due to heavy inflows from the Tungabhadra dam over the past few days.
The group had arrived in Mantralayam on Friday, offering prayers to the village deity Manchalamma and Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy after a ritual bath in the river.
They were scheduled to board a train at 11 pm on Saturday to return home. However, after checking out of their hotel, they went back to the river, leading to the fatal incident.
Search operation hampered by rains
Police launched a search operation soon after the incident but were forced to suspend it due to heavy rain. The bodies were recovered when the search resumed on Sunday morning.
