Harangi boating tragedy: Gujarat couple drown as boat capsizes, children rescued

Madikeri : A couple from Gujarat died after a boat carrying their family overturned at the Harangi water sports centre in Kushalnagar taluk of Kodagu district on Friday. Their two children, who were also on board, were rescued safely.

The deceased have been identified as Dharmesh, 50, and his wife Nimmi, 48. The family had travelled to Kodagu on a holiday and had gone boating in the backwaters of the Harangi reservoir when the accident occurred.

The incident took place near Aanekadu, close to the Harangi dam, where a private adventure water sports facility operates. According to preliminary information, the boat lost balance and capsized while negotiating a sharp turn at speed.

All four members of the family were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident. However, Dharmesh and Nimmi reportedly became trapped underneath the overturned boat and could not escape. Both died in the water.

Their two children managed to survive and were rescued after the boat overturned. The rescue of the children brought some relief amid the tragedy, which has left the family’s holiday ending in disaster.

On receiving information about the incident, personnel from the Kushalnagar Rural Police Station rushed to the spot and conducted an inspection. The police are gathering details about the circumstances in which the boat capsized.

The accident has raised concerns over safety arrangements at water sports facilities in the popular tourist destination. Harangi backwaters attract visitors from different parts of the country, with boating being one of the activities offered to tourists.

The fact that the couple died despite wearing life jackets has also drawn attention to the risks involved when a boat overturns and passengers become trapped beneath it.

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Coovercolly Indresh

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