14 Dead, 18 Rescued After Boat Capsizes Near Karwar in Karnataka

Rescue operations ongoing in Karnataka’s Karwar after a boat capsized.

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Editor: Vishal Kumar

Death toll in the boat capsize incident off the Karwar coast in Karnataka rose to 14 on Tuesday, 22 January, reported The News Minute.

Six more bodies, including that of three children, were recovered, and a lookout notice for at least one more person is still in place.

Since Tuesday morning, divers, three Coast Guard boats, two helicopters and an Indian Navy aircraft have been pressed into service for search and rescue operations.

Boat Capsized Near Karwar Coast on Monday

According to the information posted by Defence Ministry, the boat ferrying 33 people from the offshore island of Kurumgarh to Rabindranath Tagore Beach near Karwar capsized around 3 pm on Monday, 21 January.

“Of the 33 passengers, 18 were immediately rescued – 14 by local fishermen and four by Indian Coast Guard. Eight bodies have been recovered till now and the search is on for seven passengers still missing”, the Defence Ministry had said on Monday.

Following the incident, the Indian Navy had launched a search operation off the Karwar bridge in Kali river. The Navy had also dispatched two Chetak helicopters and two interceptor craft to the area.

Speaking to PTI, police official had said that there was an annual fair at the Kurumagada island, where the Narsimha Swamy shrine (dedicated to Lord Vishnu's incarnation Narsimha) is located.

“Nearly 1,000 people had gone there to take part in the fair. While returning to the beach, the boat carrying 26 passengers capsized.”

Police Official

Condoling the death of the pilgrims, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy had said on Twitter:

“I am shocked to learn about the boat accident near Sagara Darshana in Uttara Kannada. I spoke to the Dist-in-Charge Min RV Deshpande and took stock of the situation and directed DC of UK dist to speed up the rescue work. My prayers are with the near and dear ones of the victims.”

HD Kumaraswamy, Karnataka Chief Minister

(Photo: The Quint)

(Photo: The Quint)

(Photo: ANI)

(Photo: ANI)

(Photo: ANI)

(With inputs from The News Minute, ANI and PTI)