Tragedy struck near Thibbanahalli in Mandya taluk when a car plunged into the Visvesvaraya Canal on Monday, leaving two dead and one missing. Locals managed to rescue one passenger, who was rushed to the hospital.

The deceased have been identified as Aslam Pasha (55) and Fayaz alias Battery (58), the car’s owner. Search operations are underway for Peer Khan (45), while Nayaz, the lone survivor, is receiving medical care.

The mishap occurred when the driver swerved to avoid an electricity transformer, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and into the canal. Nearby farmers, alerted by a loud crash, rushed to the scene and saved Nayaz.

Authorities, including Deputy Commissioner Kumara and SP Mallikarjun Baladandi, visited the site as Fire and Emergency Services personnel struggled to retrieve the submerged car. The search for Peer Khan was suspended due to darkness and will resume Tuesday.

Mandya MLA P Ravikumar has announced a ₹1 lakh compensation for the victims’ families. Shivalli Police have registered a case.