NEW DELHI, July 3 (Xinhua) -- At least six people are feared drowned Tuesday after a coracle they were sailing in capsized in a river in the southwestern state of Karnataka, officials said.

The coracle capsized in the Krishna river at Baluti village in Vijayapura district, about 488 km northwest of Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka.

According to officials, the coracle capsized in the river water due to the gusty winds.

Local media reports said the victims were trying to escape police fearing they would arrest them on the charges of gambling.

Reports said the men hurriedly jumped into the coracle upon seeing a possible police raid for gambling.

"The gamblers were alerted when they saw the police and tried to escape by jumping into a coracle. However, the small circular boat sank in the river after going a small distance. The six people who were on the boat drowned," said local newspaper The Hindu.

The local administration has sought help from fire and emergency personnel, who along with police personnel are carrying out searches in the river to trace the missing. Enditem

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