Karnataka landslide: Fuel traces prompt targeted search for Arjun

Ankola (Karnataka): Search operations resumed on Wednesday in the Gangavali River for Arjun, the Kozhikode native who went missing following a landslide in Shiroor, Karnataka. A team, led by fisherman Eshwar Malpe, began its efforts around 10 am. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is also present at the scene.

The finding of fuel near the riverbank suggests the presence of vehicles involved in the incident. Malpe informed the media that the search will initially concentrate on this area. Earlier, a jack-lift, used in a lorry, was recovered from the river. Notably, fuel presence was found approximately 50 metres from this location.

The jack-lift was retrieved from the same area where the lorry's signal had previously been detected. Manaf, the owner of the lorry driven by Arjun, confirmed that the jack-lift belongs to the vehicle.

Parts of another tanker’s lorry door that had drifted away have also been located.

Despite Malpe and his team being ready by 8:30 am, the operation faced delays as authorities instructed them to wait for the district collector’s arrival. The collector's arrival was delayed past 10 am, prompting Malpe to proceed with the search. Media access to the area is heavily restricted, with police instructing journalists to maintain distance.

Arjun was reported missing on July 16. The search was halted on July 28, but has now resumed following family concerns over the pause in operations despite favourable weather conditions.