Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Apr 19: In a tragic incident reported from Amblamogaru Zari within the Konaje police station limits, a 17-year-old boy drowned in a water-filled pit on late Saturday, April 18 night.

The deceased has been identified as Srujan, son of Shivaram, a resident of the area.

On Saturday afternoon, Srujan and three of his friends had gone to Amblamogaru Zari to catch fish. After finishing their fishing session, the group went to a nearby foundation pit—which had been excavated for brick-making and was filled with rainwater—to wash their hands and feet.

While washing, Srujan lost his footing and slipped into the deep water. One of his friends desperately tried to grab his hand to pull him out, but Srujan slipped away. The friend almost fell in himself before being pulled back by the other two boys.

Panic-stricken by the accident, the three friends fled the spot and returned to their homes without informing anyone. As evening approached and Srujan failed to return home, his worried family questioned his friends. Initially, the boys claimed that after fishing, Srujan had left them to go search for cattle.

However, after the family members persisted and reprimanded them, the boys eventually confessed the truth. The family immediately alerted the Konaje police and the fire and rescue services.

Local residents and fire department personnel launched an intensive search operation in the water-filled pit. Around 11:30 pm, Srujan's body was recovered from the site. Konaje police have registered a case and are investigating the matter.