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The incident occurred when the family, residents of B.G. Palya in Tumakuru city, visited relatives in Magadipalya and later went to the reservoir for a picnic after lunch.

Two bodies have been recovered so far. (AI-generated image)
What was meant to be a family outing turned into a devastating tragedy on Tuesday when seven members of a family were swept away by strong currents while playing in the backwaters of the Markonahalli reservoir in Tumakuru district, officials said.
According to the police, the incident occurred when the family, residents of B.G. Palya in Tumakuru city, visited relatives in Magadipalya and later went to the reservoir for a picnic after lunch. While playing in the shallow waters, they reportedly moved further into the backwaters, unaware of the sudden undercurrent in the area. Within moments, the powerful flow of water dragged all seven family members away, leaving onlookers helpless.
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Authorities confirmed that two bodies have been recovered so far, while one person has been rescued alive. The deceased have been identified as Sazia and Arbin, while the rescued individual, Nawaz, was pulled out by rescue teams and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Tumakuru. The remaining missing persons have been identified as Tabassum (45), Shabana (44), Miphra (4), and Mohib (1).
Upon learning about the tragedy, personnel from the police, fire, and emergency services rushed to the spot and launched an extensive rescue operation. Teams from the Huliyurdurga and Amruturu police stations have joined the search efforts, and divers have been deployed to trace the missing individuals.
Officials said rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing, but the strong undercurrents and muddy water are posing challenges.
In recent months, several similar drowning incidents have been reported across Karnataka. On September 7, a 22-year-old man drowned in the Malaprabha River in Belagavi while immersing a Ganesh idol, and in July, three youths were swept away in the Tungabhadra River near Mantralayam. Tuesday’s tragedy in Tumakuru has once again highlighted the dangers of venturing into reservoir backwaters, especially during the monsoon season.
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
October 08, 2025, 08:36 IST
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