Bengaluru: The Karnataka state government has informed the High Court that rescue operations for the missing persons in the recent hill collapse incident in Shiruru village, Uttara Kannada district, have been temporarily suspended due to challenging conditions.

A public interest petition was filed in the High Court by lawyers Shiji Malayali and KR Subhash Chandran regarding the incident. During the hearing on Wednesday, Advocate General K. Sashikiran Shetty reported that out of the 11 people trapped under the collapsed soil, eight bodies have been recovered, and three remain missing. He attributed the suspension of rescue operations to increased water levels and swift currents in the nearby river.

The petitioner’s lawyer argued that the government should continue rescue efforts and accused local authorities of obstructing the efforts of local swimmer Ishwar Malpe. The Advocate General dismissed these allegations, stating that extensive rescue operations involving various teams, including NDRF, SDRF, and Army personnel, had been conducted.

Additional Solicitor General K. Arvind Kamat highlighted the risks involved in continuing rescue operations under the current conditions, citing the potential danger to the lives of rescue personnel due to the swift river currents.

The High Court bench directed the state government to provide information on the steps taken to compensate and rehabilitate the affected families and adjourned the hearing to September 18.