Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Jan 26: Two tourists lost their lives and two others are battling for survival after a tourist boat capsized near the Hangarkatte shipbuilding area, where the river meets the sea, within the Malpe–Kota police station limits, around noon on Monday, January 26.

The boat, operated by the private firm Waveriders, had started from the Malpe Delta Beach point for a leisure trip. Though the boat’s capacity is yet to be officially confirmed, sources said 14 tourists were on board at the time of the mishap.

According to preliminary information, the boat capsized around 12 pm near the estuary. All passengers were thrown into the water. While life jackets were reportedly provided, it is yet to be verified whether all passengers were wearing them at the time of the incident.

Local fishermen and nearby boat operators immediately rushed to the spot and shifted all 14 passengers to the shore using other boats. Four of them were found to be in critical condition and were shifted to hospital for treatment.

Two tourists — Shankarappa (22) and Sindhu (23) — were declared dead. Dharmaraja (26) is stated to be stable, while Deesha (26) remains in a very critical condition. All the victims are from Saraswathipuram in Mysuru and were working at a call centre.

Malpe police visited the spot soon after receiving information and have taken up an investigation into the incident. Further details, including the exact cause of the mishap and the boat’s permitted capacity, are awaited.