6, including 2 minors, drown in Cauvery River in Mysuru; 2 critical

BENGALURU: Six people, including two minors, drowned in the Cauvery River in Mysuru district, while two others are in critical condition, police said on Monday.The incident occurred near the Arkeshwara Swamy Temple close to K R Nagar on Sunday, when a group that had come to attend the Hazrat Khadar Lingavalli Urs went for a swim in the river."Eight persons had entered the river for swimming, of whom six drowned. Two have been rescued and shifted to Mysuru for further treatment, and their conditions are critical," a police officer said.Police identified the deceased as Aiman (13) from Bengaluru, Afeef (13) from KR Nagar, Yasin (23) from Bengaluru, Neha (22) from Bengaluru, Fatima (30) from Ooty, and Umer (5) from Mysuru.Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of six people who drowned while swimming in the Cauvery River. Expressing his grief over the tragedy, the chief minister Siddaramaiah took to Twitter and stated, "It is heartbreaking to learn that six people drowned in the Cauvery River while going for a swim near the Arkeswara Temple in K.R. Nagar, Mysuru. A compensation of 5 lakh rupees each will be provided to the families of the deceased."(With agency inputs)