Karnataka's Chikkamagaluru district was rocked by a heart-wrenching tragedy on Monday, as four children drowned attempting to seize a duck in a lake. The incident occurred in Karanji Lake, Araluguppe village in the Chikkamagaluru taluk, and shattered the entire village.
Abdul Rehman (13), Nayaz (12), Maidhiha (9) from Shivamogga and Arman (8) had been playing around the lake at the time of the incident. Another child, 4-year-old Arman from Araluguppe village, survived death and is now being treated at Mallegowda District Hospital in Chikkamagaluru.
Children Went In Water While They Played
The water was scarce in the middle region of Karanji Lake, suggesting that water was mostly dry according to preliminary results. The children were supposedly playing in the lake bed when a duck that followed them entered the water. One of the children allegedly jumped in to catch the duck but fell into the deeper section of the lake. The others entered the water one by one while attempting to reach the kid. Unfortunately, they could not swim properly, drowning four children.
Locals rushed to it after hearing of the incident, but by that time it was too late. The remaining bodies of the children were then removed and moved to the district hospital for post mortem examination.
Police Investigation Ongoing
The case has been registered with Chikkamagaluru Rural Police Station and investigation of said case commenced. Agencies are requesting an explanation as to the exact sequencing of the case and whether adequate protective measures were put in place around the lake. The disaster reinforced the risks of open water bodies once again. This is not unusual, especially in rural areas where children often play alone near lakes and ponds.
Grieving Families Break Down
At the time, scenes of the district hospital’s mortuary were filled with emotion, and grieving family members broke down in tears for their children having died in that horrible accident. There were villagers and family members at the hospital to assist the suffering families.
MLA H.D. Thammaiah Visits the Hospital
Local MLA, H.D. Thammaiah visited a district hospital in the district to console the families of the dead children and ask about the health condition of the child. The MLA had deep heartrending words of mourning for this incident he said to the reporters, "Such tragedies should never happen again, and the incident never should.” He promised that the government shall take the necessary precautions to make sure the families of the dead children receive suitable compensation.
“Nothing concerning the compensation will restore the children, but they will be assisted and we’ll carry out all the appropriate steps,” he said.
Thammaiah also informed the district administration for suggestion of preventive action on lakes and ponds to be included in the constituency. More robust safety structures and awareness programs will be required, he said, to avoid children from experiencing similar incidents again.
