On the night of Thursday, March 6, 2025, a terrible incident happened near Hampi in Karnataka, India. A 27-year-old Israeli tourist and a 29-year-old woman who owned a homestay were attacked while they were stargazing by a canal. They were with three other travelers—one from the United States, one from Maharashtra, and one from Odisha. The group was relaxing, listening to music, and enjoying the night sky near Sanapur Lake, close to the famous Hampi heritage site, when three men on a motorcycle approached them.
At first, the men asked the group for petrol. Then, they demanded 100 rupees (a small amount of money). When the group refused to give them the money, the men became angry. They started attacking everyone. The attackers hit the three male travelers and pushed them into the Tungabhadra Left Bank Canal. Then, they turned to the two women—the Israeli tourist and the homestay owner—and gang-raped them. After the attack, the men stole two mobile phones and 9,500 rupees from the group and ran away on their motorcycle.
The three male travelers faced different fates. The man from the United States, named Daniel, and the man from Maharashtra, named Pankaj, managed to swim out of the canal, though they were hurt. But the man from Odisha, named Bibash, was not so lucky. He went missing after being pushed into the water. The police and rescue teams searched for him, and sadly, his body was found on Saturday morning, March 8, 2025. He had drowned in the canal.
The two women were badly hurt and scared. They were taken to a government hospital in Gangavati for treatment. The homestay owner filed a complaint with the police, and a case was registered for rape, gang rape, robbery, and attempt to murder. The police formed special teams to catch the attackers. They said they have identified the men and are working hard to arrest them soon.
This horrible event has shocked many people. Hampi is a popular place for tourists, especially foreigners, because of its ancient ruins and beauty. But this attack raises big questions about safety. The Israeli tourist had come to India to enjoy its culture and scenery, but instead, she faced this nightmare. The homestay owner, who was showing her guests around, also became a victim. The loss of Bibash’s life makes the story even more tragic.
Now, let’s talk about whether Karnataka is safe for foreigners. Karnataka is a big state in South India with many attractions like Bengaluru, Mysore, and Hampi. Millions of tourists visit every year, and most have good experiences. The state has a friendly reputation, and people often welcome visitors warmly. However, this incident shows that there are risks, especially in remote areas or at night. Crimes like this are not common, but they do happen sometimes. In the past, there have been other cases of attacks on tourists in India, like the rape of an Israeli woman in Himachal Pradesh in 2016. These events remind us that safety can be a problem in some places.
For foreigners, Karnataka can still be safe if they take care. Traveling in groups, avoiding lonely spots at night, and staying alert can help. The police and government often act quickly after such crimes, as seen in this case, which might make tourists feel a bit safer. But this attack will likely worry many people planning to visit. It’s a sad reminder that even in beautiful places, danger can hide. Overall, Karnataka is mostly safe, but travelers need to be cautious, especially in quiet or less busy areas.