Udupi :The body of a two-year old child which was feared drowned in a boat capsize at Malpe beach on May 19, Sunday, has been traced  the next day.
Local fishermen who plunged into a search operation in a Jai Hanuman boat after an intensive search throughout the night found the body of the baby named Hithesh in mid-seas. It was later handed over to the family.

A jolly boat ride had turned tragic for 16 persons including the family of Prasanna Gowda from Doddaballapur in Bangalore, which had come on a vacation. The family had opted for a boating and had  enjoyed a boat ride in the boat owned by one Narayana. However, when they were all alighting, a strong wind led to the capsize of the boat, when the baby Hithesh who was in his mother’s arms fell into the river along with others. Though all others were rescued by fishermen of Tamil Nadu who were on the shores, the baby could not be traced and feared drowned.

Already, a case has been registered in Malpe police station against the boat owner Narayana for violating rules    despite a ban imposed on boating activities by the administration in view of the impending monsoons. Moreover he had taken 16 persons in his boat with a capacity to take just 12 persons.