Relatives of the deceased waiting near the mortuary to receive bodies in Bhatkal on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
As many as nine people, including eight from an extended family, died when they entered the Kalinatti stream to collect shellfish near Shirali in Uttara Kannada on Sunday. Two have gone missing.
Fishermen and others who were nearby rescued three people.
“They were not tourists but had likely entered the estuary to collect shellfish for food. They did not estimate the force of the current that had increased due to the recent rainfall. They were washed away in a hightide at the estuary where the stream meets the sea,” the police said.
“They had no boat. They were standing on the sandy floor and began drowning due to the sudden rush of water. They all died as they were holding hands and pulled each other in fright,” the police said.
“This job is usually done by women during lowtide. But they must have failed to guess the time of hightide,” a police officer told reporters.
The deceased have been identified as 38-year-old Malati Jattappa Naik, 40-year-old Laxmi Mahadev Naik, 40-year-old Laxmi Shivaram Naik, 50-year-old Laxmi Annappa Naik, 25-year-old Umesh Manjunath Naik, 38-year-old Jyoti Nagappa Naik, 45-year-old Mastamma Manjunath Naik, 30-year-old Manjamma Goid Naik and 40-year-old Laxmi Madhav Naik.
Those missing are 45-year-old Madeva Bhairappa Naik and 38-year-old Nagarathna Parameshwar Naik.
Police, SDRF and Fire and Emergency Services personnel are trying to look for them.
Those rescued are 60-year-old Madevi Manjunath Naik, 38-year-old Latha Jagadish Naik and 40-year-old Nagarathna Ishwar Naik. They have been admitted to hospital.
A case has been registered in the Bhatkal Police Station.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed shock over the incident.
“I am deeply hurt at the news of eight people drowning near Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada. I pray that their souls rest in peace and that their families get the strength to bear the loss. It is a sad and painful event. Let us all pray that those missing are found soon and join their families,” the Chief Minister said.
The State government will release ₹5 lakh per head to the next of kin of the deceased.
Published – May 24, 2026 07:31 pm IST
