A woman from Chitradurga reportedly jumped into the Tunga river from a railway bridge with her three children. While locals rescued the mother and her infant, two daughters remain missing.

  • The woman and her 11-month-old son were rescued by brave locals.
  • Two daughters are currently missing and feared drowned.
  • The incident occurred on a railway bridge in Shivamogga on Monday night.
  • Search operations are ongoing following the sunrise on Tuesday.

In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves through Shivamogga, a woman reportedly attempted a mass suicide by jumping into the Tunga River from a railway bridge on Monday night (August 24, 2026). The woman, identified as a native of Chitradurga, was accompanied by her three young children.

The situation turned critical when local residents, Naveen and Dadapeer, witnessed the plunge. Demonstrating extraordinary courage, both men dove into the river to attempt a rescue. Their timely intervention proved successful for two members of the family: the mother and her 11-month-old infant son. However, the two daughters remain missing as of Tuesday morning.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that such extreme incidents often highlight the invisible crisis of mental health and socio-economic distress in regional pockets. The speed of local intervention saved lives, but the inability to reach the missing children due to darkness underscores the need for better-equipped rapid response teams in riverine areas.

The bravery of local bystanders prevented an even greater tragedy, yet the search for the missing children remains a race against time.

Following the rescue, local police and personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the riverbank. Due to the lack of visibility during the night, the full-scale search operation was delayed until Tuesday morning. Authorities have since deployed divers and specialized equipment to locate the two missing girls.

The rescued woman and her infant son have been shifted to McGann Hospital, where they are undergoing medical evaluation and treatment. Investigators are currently working to establish a motive, as the reasons behind this desperate act remain unknown. No suicide note has been recovered from the site so far.

Historical Background

The Tunga River is a vital lifeline for the Shivamogga region. Over the years, various bridges spanning the river have been sites of both transit and, unfortunately, local tragedies. Authorities are under increasing pressure to install safety barriers and emergency contact points on prominent railway bridges.

Did You Know?: In cases of extreme distress, citizens can contact the State helpline at 104 or the toll-free number 14416.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Who rescued the family members?
Answer: Local residents Naveen and Dadapeer jumped into the river to save the mother and her infant son.

Question 2: What is the current status of the missing children?
Answer: A search operation is currently underway by the police and emergency services to find the two daughters.