Bantwal: Two young girls drown in Netravati River

Two young girls lost their lives after drowning in the Netravati river in Bantwal.

The deceased have been identified as Mariam Nafia (14), daughter of Ullal resident Ilyas and Ashura (11), daughter of Konaje Asaigoli resident Mohammed Ansar.

The incident unfolded on Sunday evening when the family, enjoying the school holiday season, gathered at a relative’s house in Maindala, Navoor. As the day progressed, they decided to spend some leisure time by the banks of the Netravati river. However, what was intended as a joyful outing quickly turned into a nightmare.

Witnesses reported that while playing near the water, Mariam and Ashura inadvertently slipped and fell into the river. Despite desperate attempts by family members who were present, none of them were able to swim and rescue the girls. Tragically, the young sisters succumbed to the depths of the river as their family looked on helplessly.

Local youths rushed to the scene upon hearing the distressing cries for help, but by the time they reached the girls, it was too late. The bodies of Mariam and Ashura were retrieved from the river, marking a heart-wrenching end to the ordeal.

It was revealed that Mariam’s father, Elias, had recently relocated from Maindala, Navoor to Ullala. The relationship between the two families runs deep, with Mariam and Ashura being relatives through their fathers.

Following the tragic incident, the bodies were transported to the Bantwal Government Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

A case has been registered at the Bantwala Rural Police Station.

Moreover, concerns have been raised regarding the dangerous pits and deep areas along the Netravati river, particularly during the dry summer season.

This unfortunate incident adds to a grim statistic, as it marks the sixth drowning-related death in Bantwal in the year 2024 alone.