GANGAVATHI (KOPPAL): Around midnight on Thursday, a group of unidentified attackers targeted foreign tourists near Sanapur Lake, abutting Gangamma Temple in the taluk.
According to reports, the assailants subjected the tourists to both physical and sexual assaults, leaving two foreign nationals and two Indian tourists with severe injuries. One person was reported as missing, too.
The victims are Nama, 27, from Israel, Daniel, 23, from the USA, Pankaj, 43, from Nashik in Maharashtra, and resort owners Ambika Nayak, 29, from Anegondi, and Bibas, 42, from Odisha. The incident happened when they assembled near the lake for a light music session.
The situation escalated when three unidentified persons arrived there and assaulted the women, even as Daniel, Pankaj, and Bibas tried to protect them.
The assailants pushed the three men into a nearby left bank canal. Daniel and Pankaj swam out of the canal, but Bibas went missing, said police sources. The injured received initial treatment at the govt MCH hospital before being shifted to a private facility for specialised care.
DSP Siddalinganagouda Patil, CPI Somasekhar Juttal, and additional police officers rushed to the scene.
On Friday morning, city police inspector Prakash Male and the dog squad initiated investigation, and found a two-wheeler and a handbag containing a camera, power bank, pen, broken guitar, gloves, cigarettes, and blood-stained clothing.
SP Ram L Arasiddi visited the crime scene on Friday morning and subsequently visited the injured individuals at the hospital. He confirmed the attack and an attempted sexual assault. The SP said two police teams were formed to track down the suspects.
