Four members of a family drowned in a tank at Kallambella near Sira on Sunday evening.
The deceased have been identified as Bhagyamma (30), her daughters Vanitha (10) and Kaveri (6) and son Tarun (3), from Kenchaganahalli village.
Whether it is an accident or suicide is yet to be ascertained.
According to the police, the victims went to the tank at around 3.30 pm to wash clothes. Police suspect that one of them might have slipped into the water and the others must have attempted a rescue bid.
As the tank has been desilted, the spot where the tragedy occurred was 15 feet deep. All the bodies have been recovered and post-mortem was conducted at the government hospital at Kallambella town.
Superintendent of Police T R Suresh visited the spot. Tahsildar Nagahanumaiah also visited the spot and gave `1,000 as immediate relief to Jagannath, husband of Bhagyamma, a farmer. Nagahanumaiah told Express over phone that he released `1,000 for the cremation and will send a proposal to the Deputy Commissioner recommending compensation.
Jayachandra Visits Morgue
Deputy leader of opposition and Sira MLA T B Jayachandra visited the mortuary. He expressed shock over the incident and ordered a thorough probe.