23 Missing After Boat Capsizes in Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu took to Twitter, describing the incident as “painful.”

As many as 23 people are reportedly missing after a boat carrying around 40 people capsized in Godavari river in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, 15 May.

Till now, 17 people have been rescued, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) being deployed at the site of the mishap, reported ANI.

A team of divers, along with Dornier aircraft, have reportedly been sent to Rajahmundry (where boat capsized in East Godavari) to join rescue operations.

According to The Times of India, 12 persons onboard the boat, including two women and a child, swam to safety

The incident took place near Manturu, 18 km from the mandal headquarters of Devipatnam, at around 6 pm. The organiser of the boat has surrendered before the police.

Survivors claim that most passengers on the boat were mostly from tribal communities. They alleged that they had pleaded with the operator to stop the boat in light of the strong winds, but he did not comply to their request, The Times of India reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anguish over the incident on Twitter, extending his condolences to the families of the victims for those still missing.

Anguished by the capsizing of a boat in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the safety of those missing.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 15, 2018

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, too, tweeted his condolences.

I'm deeply anguished by the tragic loss of innocent lives in the boat capsize on the Godavari River. My thoughts are with the families of those killed or still missing in this tragedy. I request Congress workers to provide the families of the victims with all possible assistance.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 15, 2018

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China Rajappa spoke to East Godavari district officials over phone and enquired about the incident, reported PTI.

The Chief Minister said the incident was “painful.”

తూర్పుగోదావరి జిల్లా దేవీపట్నం మండలం మంటూరు దగ్గర గోదావరిలో లాంచీ మునిగిన ఘటన అత్యంత బాధాకరం. యుద్ధ ప్రాతిపదికన సహాయ చర్యలు చేపట్టాలని అధికారులను ఆదేశించాం. బాధితులను అన్ని విధాలా ఆదుకోవాలని జిల్లా అధికారులకు సూచించాం.

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) May 15, 2018

According to a press release, Chandrababu has also directed the district collector to deploy special teams to rescue the victims.

An official told PTI that the cause of the mishap was probably strong winds in the area. The ill-fated boat was on its way to Rajamahendravaram from Kondamodalu when tragedy struck.

(With inputs from The Times of India, PTI and ANI)

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