PM Modi expresses pain over drowning deaths in Karnataka; announces ex gratia

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolences and announced financial assistance for the families affected by a drowning incident in Karnataka's Karwar that killed eight people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a drowning incident in Karnataka's Karwar and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

Eight members of a family, including seven women, drowned while two others were reported missing after a group attempting to collect freshwater mussels was swept away by strong currents in the Tatte Hakkalu river in Karnataka.

''Deeply pained to hear about a mishap in Karwar district, Karnataka. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest,'' the prime minister said in a post on 'X'.

Modi also announced that an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund would be given to the next of kin of each deceased and the injured would be given Rs 50,000.