Tourists Flee Indian Temple Town After Gang Rape and Murder
Authorities in India have arrested a third suspect in connection with the brutal rape and murder of tourists near a UNESCO heritage site. The incident has sent shockwaves across the country, raising serious concerns about safety.
A tragic crime in Karnataka has left one man dead and two women—an Israeli tourist and an Indian homestay owner—gang-raped by three men late Thursday, police confirmed. The attack occurred near Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its ancient ruins and cultural significance.
The victims were stargazing with two other male tourists near the town when an altercation over money escalated into violence. According to authorities, three men on a motorcycle approached the group in Sanapur village, about 28 km (17 miles) from the Hampi ruins, asking for directions to a petrol station. They then demanded money, leading to a confrontation. The attackers pushed the three male tourists into a river canal before assaulting the women. Two men managed to escape, but the third, a tourist from Odisha, drowned.
The horrific incident has triggered fear among visitors, prompting a mass exodus from Hampi. "Almost 90% of the tourists, most of whom are Israelis, have vacated homestays and left the area," said Syed Ismael, a local tour guide. Some travelers have been advised to move in groups and avoid remote areas.
Talia Zilber, a 21-year-old Israeli tourist, shared her concerns, stating, "The incident is really scary. We planned to stay until Holi, but now we’re heading to Rajasthan." Many tourists are making last-minute changes to their itineraries due to safety concerns.
Hampi, once the capital of the Hindu Vijayanagara kingdom, attracts over 100,000 foreign tourists annually. Sanapur, a remote village across the Tungabhadra River, is a popular but isolated tourist spot. Authorities are urging caution, with state minister Shivaraj Tangadagi advising against late-night travel.
Police have filed charges for murder, robbery, and rape based on survivors' testimonies. Two suspects were arrested on Saturday, while the third was captured in Tamil Nadu and is being transferred to Karnataka.
Despite stricter laws following the infamous 2012 Delhi gang rape case, violent crimes against women remain prevalent in India. The National Crime Records Bureau reported nearly 32,000 rape cases in 2022, but experts believe many more go unreported due to social stigma and distrust in law enforcement.
Recent incidents, including the alleged gang rape of a Brazilian-Spanish tourist in Jharkhand in 2023, continue to fuel concerns over safety. While the government has introduced tougher legislation, crimes against women persist, affecting tourism and public confidence in the justice system.
The Karnataka police continue their investigation, vowing swift action against the perpetrators.
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