4 girls, taking selifes, slip and die at waterfall near Belagavi; one critical

BELAGAVI: Four girls died and another is in a critical condition after they slipped and fell into the water at Kitawada Falls on the Karnataka-Maharashtra border while taking selfies. The girls were part of a group of about 40 women and girls from a madrasa in Belagavi who had gone on a picnic.

A crowd gathered at BIMS hospital.

The deceased were identified as Ruksar Yousuf Bishti (20), Tasmia Ashfaq Bishti (20), Khudsia Hasham Patel (20), all from Angol Jhatpat Colony, Asiya M Mujawar (17), of 5th Cross, Ujwal Nagar.

Grieving family members on the hospital premises.

The bodies of the four girls were brought to the BIMS hospital for autopsy while the other girl has been admitted to KLE Hospital where her condition is serious.

A huge crowd of grieving family members and relatives of the deceased girls gathered at the BIMS hospital. The police have deployed one KSRP platoon to maintain law and order.

A huge crowd had gathered outside the hospital.

Mushtaq Ahmed, a religious leader, said, the girls visit the Arabic tuition centre at Maligalli daily and had planned a picnic. “On Saturday, they went to Kitawada Falls. All were burqa-clad and were by themselves when five of the girls slipped and fell into the water.”

“On receiving information, some youths and locals from Belagavi rushed to Kitawada and brought the bodies to the civil hospital. We have informed the parents about the tragic accident”, he added.