Andhra Pradesh: 12 Dead As Tourist Boat Carrying Over 50 People Capsizes In Godavari River

Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams of 30 members each, sent for rescue operations. Two boats of the tourism department have also been sent for rescue operations.

A tourist boat capsized in the swollen Godavari river in Devipatnam, East Godavari district on Sunday afternoon. (ANI)

Andhra Pradesh: A tourist boat capsized in the swollen Godavari river in Devipatnam, East Godavari district on Sunday afternoon. Around 60 people were on-board at the time of incident who went on a tour to see Papikondalu hills near the Godavari river. 12 dead bodies have been recovered so far, while 24 people have been rescued from the water as of now. The accident took place near Kacchuluru village in Devipatnam Mandal of the East Godavari district. Reportedly, the boat had only 14 life jackets, and some people were saved by the villagers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed anguish over the tragedy. "Extremely pained by the capsizing of a boat in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari. My thoughts are with the bereaved families," the prime minister wrote on Twitter. He said rescue operations are currently underway at the site of the tragedy. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock over the mishap and announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. All boat services have also been suspended in the area and local police besides other officials are going to the spot. Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams of 30 members each, sent for rescue operations. Two boats of the tourism department have also been sent for rescue operations. Godavari river had been receiving flood water of almost 5 lakh cusecs till yesterday. So tourist services were halted. With floodwater receding, the officials gave permission to the tourist boats from today. Watch | 12 die after boat carrying 61 people capsized in Godavari Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has spoken with the officials within minutes after the news of capsizing of the boat broke. He has ordered them to take up rescue operations immediately. State Chief Secretary L V Subrahmanyam has spoken to East Godavari District Collector Muralidhar Reddy and enquired about the incident. The Chief Secretary has also meanwhile directed that a helicopter be pressed into service to trace the boat mishap victims. Police and other rescue teams have started off from East and West Godavari districts for the accident spot, but it could take some time for them to reach there because of the swollen state of the river, official sources said. Earlier in a major mishap in Madhya Pradesh, during the Ganesh Visarjan ritual in Bhopal, a boat capsized at Khatlapura Ghat leading to death of at least 12 devotees. As many as 19 people were on the boat which capsized after the immersion on Friday. 12 bodies have so far been recovered by the police. While some have been rescued, four people remain untraceable. An ex-gratia of Rs four lakh has been announced by the district collector for the families of those who drowned and died. (With inputs from agencies)