As many as 10 people, including eight from an extended family, died when they entered the Kalinatti stream to collect shellfish near Shirali in Bhatkal of Uttara Kannada district on Sunday. One person is still missing.

Fishermen and others who were nearby rescued three people.

“They were not tourists but had likely entered the estuary to collect shellfish for food. They did not estimate the force of the current that had increased due to the recent rainfall. They were washed away in a hightide at the estuary where the stream meets the sea,” the police said.

“They had no boat. They were standing on the sandy floor and began drowning due to the sudden rush of water. They all died as they were holding hands and pulled each other in fear,” the police said.

“This job of collecting shellfish is usually done by women during lowtide. But they must have failed to guess the time of hightide,” a police officer told reporters.

The deceased have been identified as 38-year-old Malati Jattappa Naik, 40-year-old Laxmi Mahadev Naik, 40-year-old Laxmi Shivaram Naik, 50-year-old Laxmi Annappa Naik, 25-year-old Umesh Manjunath Naik, 38-year-old Jyoti Nagappa Naik, 45-year-old Mastamma Manjunath Naik, 30-year-old Manjamma Goid Naik, 40-year-old Laxmi Madhav Naik and 38-year-old Nagarathna Parameshwar Naik.

The name of missing man was given as 45-year-old Madeva Bhairappa Naik.

The police, SDRF and Fire and Emergency Services personnel are trying to look for them.

Those rescued are 60-year-old Madevi Manjunath Naik, 38-year-old Latha Jagadish Naik and 40-year-old Nagarathna Ishwar Naik. They have been admitted to hospital.

A case has been registered at the Bhatkal Police Station.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed shock over the incident and announced compensation of ₹5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.

“I am deeply hurt at the news of nine people drowning near Bhatkal in Uttara Kannada. I pray that their souls rest in peace and that their families get the strength to bear the loss. It is a sad and painful event. Let us all pray that those missing are found soon and join their families,” the Chief Minister said.