A 51-year-old man died after accidentally slipping into a well while attempting to repair a submersible pump at his residence in Vadera Hobali village near Kundapur on Friday morning, police said.
The deceased has been identified as Nagaraj, a resident of B.C. Road in Vadera Hobali.
Accident during pump repair
According to police, Nagaraj had entered the well to carry out repair work on a submersible pump installed inside. During the process, he reportedly lost his balance and fell into the water.
Family members and neighbours attempted to rescue him, but he drowned before help could arrive. He was later pulled out of the well, but was found unresponsive.
Police register case
Police said a case has been registered at the Kundapur police station, and further investigation is under way to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the incident.
Officials added that accidental drownings during well maintenance continue to be a concern in rural areas, particularly where safety equipment and protective measures are not used.
Call for safety awareness
Local residents said Nagaraj was known in the area and the incident has left the village in shock. Authorities have urged people to take adequate precautions while carrying out repair or maintenance work involving wells, pumps and other confined water spaces.
They stressed the importance of using safety ropes, protective gear and seeking assistance rather than attempting such repairs alone.
The incident adds to a series of accidental deaths reported from rural parts of coastal Karnataka, highlighting the need for greater awareness and safety practices during household maintenance activities.