A 17-year-old student lost his life after drowning in the River Tunga at Pillangiri village in Shivamogga taluk, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Tragic incident during temple visit
The deceased has been identified as Prem Kumar, a resident of Kamakshi Street in the city. Prem was studying in second-year Pre-University Course (II PUC) at DVS College.
According to police sources, Prem had visited a temple in Pillangiri village along with his friends. After offering prayers, the group went to the nearby River Tunga, where Prem entered the water for a swim. During the course of swimming, he reportedly lost control and drowned.
Rescue efforts fail
Local residents and Prem’s friends attempted to rescue him upon realising he was in distress, but the strong current of the river hampered immediate efforts. By the time help arrived, the teenager had already drowned.
Authorities were alerted soon after, and the body was retrieved from the river following a search operation.
Body shifted for post-mortem
Prem’s body was shifted to the mortuary of McGann Hospital, Shivamogga, where a post-mortem examination is being conducted to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Family members, college authorities, and friends gathered at the hospital, grieving the untimely loss of the young student. Locals described Prem as a cheerful and well-liked youth with a promising academic future.
Police inspection and warning
Officials from the Shivamogga Rural Police visited the spot and conducted an inspection as part of the investigation. A case of accidental death has been registered.
Police have once again urged the public, especially youngsters, to exercise extreme caution while entering rivers and water bodies, particularly during outings and temple visits. They warned that rivers such as the Tunga can have sudden depth changes and strong undercurrents, posing serious risks even to experienced swimmers.
Community in mourning
The incident has cast a pall of gloom over Kamakshi Street and the DVS College campus, with teachers and students expressing deep sorrow. Residents have called for greater awareness and safety measures near popular river access points to prevent such tragedies in the future.