Sources said over 70 people were on the boat when it capsized. “As the boat sailed a few metres into the waters towards the river, the boatman lost control. The panic-stricken people started moved haphazardly on the boat resulting in the boat getting overturned. Those who could swim, saved themselves and their family members,” sources added.
As news spread, East and West Godavari district administration started rescue operations. A helicopter belonging to the Indian Coast Guard and Navy divers were deployed to search for the missing persons. The divers are continuing their search when reports last came in.
Most of the people on the boat were devotees to Antarvedi village in E. Godavari to take part in Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple festivities. As it takes a long time to reach the destination by road, villagers prefer to use the boat.
The Eluru range deputy inspector general of police, Mr Mahesh M. Bhagavat, said, “We are still carrying out search operations.”
One of the survivors Mula Swamy from Gollapalem village said, “I was with my wife and in-laws. As we started to sail, the boat lost its balance mainly due to overcrowding. I swam ashore but I have no knowledge about my wife and parents-in-law so.”
One of the survivors Mula Swamy from Gollapalem village said, “I was with my wife and in-laws. As we started to sail, the boat lost its balance mainly due to overcrowding. I swam ashore but I have no knowledge about my wife and parents-in-law so.”
Meanwhile, the minister for rural development, Mr Vatti Vasantha Kumar, and the minister for Arogyasri, Mr P. Satyanarayana, announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh to the kin of the deceased.
0 comments:
Post a Comment