A weekend outing turned tragic for a 16-member Bengaluru corporate team after three employees drowned when powerful waves swept them into the sea at Dubbanshashi Beach near Gokarna. Two others were rescued by lifeguards and local fishermen.
BY PC Bureau
November 2: A weekend getaway turned tragic for a group of Bengaluru-based employees after three young colleagues drowned when powerful waves swept them into the sea at Dubbanshashi Beach near Gokarna in Karnataka on Sunday. The victims were part of a 16-member team from a private company that had travelled to the coastal town for an outing. Two other members of the group were rescued.
The deceased have been identified as Shobha Das Devendranath, 22, a native of Jamshedpur in Jharkhand; Mohammed Akram Ismail Ahmed, who was the team’s leader; and Vishwa AK, 24, a resident of Bengaluru’s Kalyan Nagar/Babusapalya area. All three were employees of Alorica India Pvt Ltd, a call-centre company with an office in Bellandur.
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A weekend getaway to Gokarna turned tragic for a group of Bengaluru-based IT employees after five of them were swept away by strong waves at Dubbansashi Beach. Three people died in the incident, while two others were rescued by lifeguards.
The group of 16 employees from Aloria Ecopace, a company located in Bellandur, Bengaluru, had travelled to Gokarna for a weekend trip. They were staying at Koje Resort near Dubbansashi Beach. Some members of the group had entered the sea to enjoy the water when a sudden surge of powerful waves swept five of them away.
Following the incident, lifeguards from the resort and local fishermen immediately launched a rescue operation and managed to bring four people ashore.
However, 22-year-old Shobha Das, a native of Jharkhand, later died at the hospital after her condition deteriorated. Mohammed Akram, the team leader, also died while being taken to Manipal Hospital for further treatment.
Meanwhile, 24-year-old Vishw, a resident of Kalyan Nagar in Bengaluru, had gone missing in the sea following the incident. His body was subsequently recovered during a search operation.
Nishant and Mohammed Qasim were rescued by lifeguards. They received medical treatment and are reportedly recovering.
Gokarna police visited the spot and conducted an inspection following the incident. The bodies of the deceased were shifted to the mortuary at Karwar Medical College. The incident falls under the jurisdiction of Gokarna Police Station.
Following the tragedy, the police department has warned resort and homestay owners about the need to ensure the safety of tourists visiting coastal areas.
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers of entering the sea without considering the intensity of the waves and prevailing coastal conditions.
Authorities have urged tourists to exercise caution and follow safety instructions while visiting beaches.
— Kamran (@CitizenKamran) November 2, 2026
According to preliminary information, five members of the group entered the water at around 7.30 am on Sunday when a series of powerful waves suddenly swept them away from the shore, dragging them approximately 15–16 feet into the sea.
Lifeguards deployed at the resort, along with local fishermen, immediately launched a rescue operation. Two members of the group, identified as Nishanth DV, 26, and Mohammed Qasim, were rescued and taken to the Gokarna Primary Health Centre for treatment. The remaining three could not be saved.
Shobha Das died while undergoing treatment at the primary health centre. Mohammed Akram succumbed to his injuries while being shifted to a hospital in Manipal. Vishwa AK, who was initially reported missing, was found dead early Monday near the beach.
The group of 16 employees had arrived in Gokarna on Saturday evening to celebrate receiving a company bonus. They were staying at Koje Resort near the beach when the incident occurred.
The bodies of the deceased were subsequently shifted to the mortuary at Karwar Medical College for further formalities. Their families have been informed.
Gokarna police, including Inspector Sridhar, have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident.
Gokarna popular beaches draw tourists
Gokarna, a coastal town in Uttara Kannada district, is a popular tourist destination known for its beaches, scenic coastline and religious significance. Its beaches, including Om Beach, Kudle Beach, Half Moon Beach and Paradise Beach, attract visitors from across Karnataka and other parts of the country, particularly during weekends and holiday seasons.
Dubbanshashi Beach, where the tragedy occurred, is among the coastal stretches frequented by visitors. However, strong currents and sudden changes in wave conditions can make entering the sea dangerous, even when the water appears relatively calm. The incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with swimming in the sea without adequate precautions
