Andhra Pradesh: Another boat capsizes on East Godavari, rescue operations underway

The tragic incident took place when the boat ferrying people from Saladivaripalem to Pasuvula hit an under construction pillar of a bridge and turned turtle, reports said. The boat had around 40 passengers, mostly students. Nearly 15 people are said to be missing after a passenger boat capsized in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district today.

More than 40 people, mostly students, were said to be travelling in the boat, state Disaster Management Department sources said. Meanwhile, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been pressed into service to take up the rescue operation. Two teams, of 35 members each, from Rajamahendravaram and Visakhapatnam are likely to reach the accident spot in about an hour according to sources. The relevant government departments have been alerted for rescue according to a message from the Chief Minister’s office.

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At least 10 people are said to have been rescued by locals while efforts were on to trace the others.

Andhra Pradesh: A boat with more than 40 people in it has capsized in East Godavari after ramming into a bridge’s pillar, 10 people have been reported missing. Search operation is underway. pic.twitter.com/gNMkzSR20Q

— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2018

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed district officials to step up rescue operations, sources said. The Gautami river is a tributary of the Godavari.

In a similar incident that took place on May 15, a Tuesday, a boat carrying around 40 people capsized in Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh.

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Special Branch DSP Vijaybhaskar Reddy had then told ANI, “Boat started from Devipatnam to reach Kondamodalu at 3.30 pm. Driver Khaza Mohiddeen was trying to reach banks at Vadapalli to deport two passengers. When the boat is almost 10 minutes away to the banks, heavy rain and wind occurred, boat lost balance and slid one side.” According to Reddy, the driver of the boat has said there are 25-26 passengers in the boat at the time of incident. 12 reportedly died while the rest were missing.