BENGALURU: The intense and daring search operation at the fourth spot in Gangavali River ended futile on Saturday. The rescue team has called off the search operations for Saturday while the ambiguity around truck driver Arjun’s missing continues.

Uttara Kannada District Collector Lakshmipriya told the media that Ishwar Malpe, a fisherman, dived deep into the river but found only mud and rocks.

The 12th day of the search operation was indeed the most dangerous as divers engaged in rescue works went through the scare of being pulled away by the strong undercurrent. If not for the rescue efforts from the Navy, the tragedy at Shirur would have aggravated on Saturday. The leader of the group, Ishwar Malpe, drowned in the river but was rescued by the Navy.

" Ishwar Malpe's rope broke and he was pulled away by the strong currents", said Kalliasseri MLA M Vijin.

The current in the Gangavali River is above seven knots. Today's search was led by a local group of fishermen from Kundapura. More fishing boats have been brought to Shirur.