Boat capsizes in Andhra Pradesh: 12 dead, several missing
Hyderabad, Sept 15 (IBNS): At least 12 people drowned after a boat, in which they were traveling, capsized in the swollen Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district on Sunday.
Several people are still missing, reports said.
The boat was reportedly carrying 60 people.
Two NDRF teams, each with 30 members, were sent to the spot, according to relief and rehabilitation department authorities, reported Hindustan Times.
Search operation is currently going on.
Most people onboard the Royal Vashishta were tourists travelling to Papikondalu, a famous tourist spot near Rajahmundry, reported the newspaper.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy enquired about the Launch capsize incident in river Godavari between Manturu and Kachhuluru, with East Godavari District Collector and other Officials here on Sunday.
Reddy directed them to carry out the rescue operations on a war-footing and asked them to use the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, besides pressing into service Navy and ONGC helicopters.
The Chief Minister also ordered all the available Ministers in the district to go and supervise the rescue operations at the site.
He directed the officials to suspend all boating services immediately in the region and to examine the boats about their viability of transportation.
The Chief Minister also ordered the officials to check the licence of the boats and adequate training was given to the staff or not.
He also asked the officials to verify if the boats are following precautionary measures or not.
Reddy sought a complete report on the incident and asked to release the safety guidelines prepared by an expert committee.
Official sources told UNI that 50 tourists and 11 crew were sailing in the ill-fated launch when it capsized.
The sources said that they suspect the deaths will likely to be high.
Meanwhile, leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and grief over the launch capsize.
Janasena Party President K Pawan Kalyan expressed shock and grief over the incident and asked his cadre to rush to the place to take part in the rescue operations.
President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have condoled the loss of lives in the incident.
Extremely pained by the capsizing of a boat in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Rescue operations are currently underway at the site of the tragedy.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 15, 2019
Narendra Modi tweeted: "Extremely pained by the capsizing of a boat in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Rescue operations are currently underway at the site of the tragedy."
The President mourned the loss of lives in the tragedy.
Saddened to hear of capsizing of the boat in the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh. Thoughts and prayers with the bereaved families. Local authorities are undertaking rescue and relief efforts #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 15, 2019
"Saddened to hear of capsizing of the boat in the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh. Thoughts and prayers with the bereaved families. Local authorities are undertaking rescue and relief efforts #PresidentKovind," he said.
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