Three Youths Drown Near Popular Shettihalli Church Tourist Site in Karnataka

Three youths from Bengaluru drowned in the backwaters of the Hemavathi reservoir near the historic Shettihalli Church in Hassan district on Sunday, police said.

The deceased were identified as Charan (20), Milan (23), and Manikantha (20) , all residents of Bengaluru. According to police, they were part of a group of 10 friends returning to Bengaluru after offering prayers at the Shri Manjunatha Swamy Temple in Dharmasthala.

The group reportedly stopped near Shettihalli Church at Gorur in Hassan taluk, a popular tourist attraction known for its partially submerged ruins during the monsoon season. Some of the youths entered the reservoir backwaters for a swim.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the victims ventured into deeper waters without knowing the depth of the reservoir and were allegedly unable to swim. As the three began struggling in the water, their friends raised an alarm. However, the isolated nature of the location and the absence of immediate rescue assistance hampered efforts to save them.

On receiving information, personnel from the Gorur Police Station and Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the spot and launched a search operation with the assistance of local swimmers. The bodies were later recovered from the reservoir.

A case has been registered at Gorur Police Station, and further investigation is underway .

The incident has once again highlighted the recurring problem of drowning accidents at reservoirs, lakes, and tourist destinations , particularly during the monsoon season when water levels and currents can change rapidly. Authorities frequently advise visitors to avoid entering unfamiliar water bodies and to follow safety warnings.

The tragedy has also renewed attention on the need for water-safety awareness campaigns , clear warning signage, trained lifeguards, and improved rescue infrastructure at remote tourist locations to prevent similar incidents and enable faster emergency response.