Gokarna: A shell found floating in Gangekolla near Gokarna created panic among the people on Friday.

The local people initially felt that it was a bomb. Also, the white-coloured shell had ‘danger’ written on it and this created fear among the people. 

Immediately, the people brought the issue to the notice of Gokarna PSI Santoshkumar. The people were relieved when the police team inspected it and discovered that the material found was actually a shell used by the navy.

Shells are used by ships when they get into trouble when in deep sea. The ships under threat communicate with the other ships and make them know about their location through the shells. These shells emit coloured smoke and are not explosives.

“The Indian and French navy conducted a joint exercise in this area in June. The shell must have fallen there during that exercise. The matter written on the shell is in French and so people could not read it. The navy officers of Karwar have been informed about it and they have said that they will take it,” informed PSI Santoshkumar.