Warning : Some pictures below may be disturbing
Another major tragedy in the swollen Godavari river. A tourism boat carrying 63 passengers including 11 crew members capsized near Devipatnam in East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh Home minister M Sucharita said according to information available with her, 23 passengers have swum to safety.
These people were reportedly on board Royal Vashishta to Papikondalu, which is a popular tourist spot near Rajahmundry. They had started from the Gandi Pochamma temple near Devipatnam and the boat reportedly capsized near Kachhuluru.
Andhra Pradesh Home minister M Sucharita confirmed eight bodies have been found so far. The concern, she said, is that others may not be wearing life jackets. She said weak cellphone signals are hampering relief operations. It has been raining in this part of Andhra Pradesh for the past one week.
Sucharita said two NDRF teams had reached the spot. The government has also spoken to ONGC that has its headquarters in Rajahmundry for its choppers to be deployed to help in rescue operations.
The bodies found so far suggest passengers were not wearing life jackets. A couple of rescued passengers confirmed that they had removed the life jackets because it was hot and inconvenient.
Categories: Andhra Pradesh