Missing During Family Trip
A tragic incident has come to light from Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru district, where a Class 10 student from Kerala was found dead after being missing for nearly three days. The victim, identified as Sreenanda, had travelled with her family as part of a group of around 40 people on a leisure trip to the scenic Manikyadhara Falls in the Chandradrona hills.
She was last seen on Tuesday evening around 5:20 PM near the waterfall area. Within minutes, her family realized she was missing and began searching for her, but when initial efforts failed, authorities were informed.
Massive Search Operation Launched
Following the complaint, a large-scale search operation was launched involving local police, forest officials, and disaster response teams. Advanced tools such as drones and dog squads were deployed to comb the rugged terrain.
The search continued for several days, with over 100 personnel involved in scanning valleys, hill slopes, and nearby areas. Despite thorough efforts, no immediate trace of the teenager was found, raising fears of either an accidental fall or possible foul play.
Body Found in Deep Gorge
On Friday, the search operation came to a tragic end when the girl’s body was discovered in a deep gorge near the Manikyadhara Falls. Reports suggest that the body was found hundreds of feet below the terrain, close to where she was last seen.
Police officials suspect that she may have accidentally slipped and fallen from a viewpoint near the waterfall. However, authorities have not ruled out other possibilities and have initiated a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of death.
Family Raises Concerns
Family members have expressed shock and grief over the incident. Some relatives have raised concerns about the circumstances, stating that the area where the body was found had already been searched earlier.
There have also been suspicions of possible foul play, prompting calls for a thorough investigation. Officials have assured that all angles will be examined, including accident and other possibilities.
Safety Concerns at Tourist Spots
This incident has once again highlighted safety concerns at popular tourist destinations, especially in hilly and waterfall regions. Experts stress the importance of proper safety measures, warning signs, and surveillance systems to prevent such tragedies.
Authorities are expected to review safety protocols in the region to ensure better protection for visitors.
