Twelve People Drowned During Ganesh Idol submersion Ritual

Twelve people, including a government employee and several college students, drowned after an overloaded coracle in which they were carrying a Ganesha idol for immersion capsized in the Tungabhadra river at Hadonahalli in Shivamogga taluk on Wednesday. According to Superintendent of Police Abhinav Khare, the incident took place around 2.00 pm. Firefighters and expert swimmers retrieved seven bodies in the search operation that lasted till 8 pm. The operation will resume on Thursday. Most of the victims were youths who were pursuing degree courses in Shivamogga. Jayaswamy, an eyewitness, told DH that around 25 villagers boarded the coracle along with the idol and decided to move towards the middle of the river for the immersion. When the water gushed in, they moved to the other side of the coracle in fear. It happened again, and the third time the coracle capsized. Those who knew swimming saved themselves, Jayaswamy said.