A pleasant weekend outing turned into an unimaginable tragedy when four engineering students from Bengaluru drowned in a canal of the Cauvery river near Srirangapatna on Sunday.
The victims, identified as Likith, Chandan, Harsha, and Santhosh, were all final-year computer science engineering students at Acharya Institute of Technology in Bengaluru. They had traveled to the historic town of Srirangapatna for a picnic with friends.
What Happened During the Picnic?
According to police reports, the group of students was enjoying their time near the Cauvery canal when the four young men decided to enter the water. Witnesses described how the strong current quickly swept them away, despite their attempts to swim to safety.
Local residents and fellow students immediately launched rescue efforts, but the powerful water flow made it difficult to reach them in time. The fire and emergency services were alerted and rushed to the scene to begin search operations.
The Desperate Search Operation
Emergency responders worked tirelessly to locate the missing students. The search operation lasted several hours before all four bodies were recovered from the canal.
"The current was very strong in the canal, making the rescue operation extremely challenging," a police official stated. "Despite our best efforts, we couldn't save these young lives."
A Community in Mourning
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the academic community in Bengaluru and the local population in Srirangapatna. The students, all in their early twenties, were described as bright young men with promising futures ahead of them.
College authorities from Acharya Institute of Technology have expressed deep sorrow over the incident and are providing counseling support to traumatized students and staff members.
Safety Concerns Around Water Bodies
This heartbreaking incident has raised serious questions about safety measures around canals and water bodies in popular tourist spots. Local authorities are now considering implementing additional warning signs and safety barriers in areas where strong currents pose significant risks to visitors.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk in seemingly calm waters, especially during the monsoon season when currents can be deceptively powerful.
