The body of an 18-year-old labourer from Belagavi, who had gone missing along with his bike in the Manjattadka river near Panathur, was recovered on Monday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Durgappa (18), a resident of Belagavi. His body was located not far from the site of the incident during a search operation. Continuous heavy rainfall had intensified the river’s current, hampering search efforts over the past two days. Durgappa went missing on the afternoon of July 17, reportedly swept away while riding his bike to get food.
He worked as a JCB operator’s assistant at the pineapple farm of Rajapur Horticulture Corporation.
As both Durgappa and the bike were untraceable, it was suspected he had been washed away by the river. A missing complaint had been registered at the Rajapur police station. The search involved police officials, fire service personnel, and local volunteers.
His body has been shifted to the mortuary of Kasargod General Hospital.
