Shirur landslip: Body of Kerala lorry driver missing since July 16 found in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka

Lorry driver Arjun’s body and vehicle found in Gangavali river

A dredger was used to pull up the lorry from Gangavali river at Shirur in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka on September 25, 2024. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

As many as 71 days after they were reported missing following a landslip, the body of Arjun, a lorry driver from Kerala, and his vehicle were found by a team of divers and dredgers in the Gangavali at Shirur in Uttara Kannada district on Wednesday.

The team was able to locate the mangled vehicle and recover the body from the cabin after the rescue operation was resumed six days ago. The location was calculated by former Navy officer Indra Balan and his team. They had suggested that the rescuers look for the vehicle behind the shop of one Lakshman Naik. A dredger was used to pull up the lorry, officials said.

As many as 11 persons lost their lives in the landslip on National Highway 66 on July 16. Bodies of nine victims have been recoverd so far. The bodies of two other victims — Jagannath and Lokesh — are yet to be found.

Kerala truck with driver's body fished out from Gangavali river

The operation to search for and rescue a truck driver trapped under mud by a landslip in Gangavali river, near Shirur in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, was finallly concluded on September 25. The truck and its driver, Arjun, are from Kerala. They were caught in a landslip on July 16. | Video Credit: The Hindu

Arjun had stopped his lorry at Shirur village after deciding to rest. He was asleep in the vehicle when the landslip occurred. The mud and heavy rain led to his vehicle being washed away in the river.

Radar technology was used to trace the body on Wednesday. The vehicle was heavily damaged and corroded in places. The body was partially decomposed. Arjun’s family members arrived from Kerala along with a few legislators.

The search and rescue efforts carried out initially by the NDRF, the SDRF, divers such as Ishwar Malpe, and defence forces had not been successful. The rescue efforts were stopped owing to heavy rains and strong currents in the river. Meanwhile, the Kerala government had urged Karnataka to trace the body of Arjun.

The operation resumed on September 20. The dredger found a two-wheeler, the cabin of a gas tanker, and some vehicle wheels in the first two days.

Satish Sail, local MLA, told reporters that efforts would be continued to trace the two other bodies. Arjun’s relative Rajan said the family was relieved to find the body. “It is sad that we lost him at a young age. We thank the Karnataka government and the Uttara Kannada district administration,” he said.

Published - September 25, 2024 04:34 pm IST