Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed grief over the loss of lives as a boat carrying tourists capsized in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district district on Sunday.
“Capsizing of a boat in the Krishna River is anguishing. My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragedy. Andhra Pradesh Government and @NDRFHQ have been working on rescue operations,” Modi tweeted.
Of the 16 dead, there were nine women and two children, while eight others went missing as the boat capsized at Ibrahimpatnam Ferry Ghat around 5.20 pm in the Krishna river.
There were 41 tourists on board belonging to a private operator and returning from Bhavani Island to Pavitra Sangam, or holy confluence of Krishna and Godavari rivers.
Locals and rescue workers rescued 15 people. Krishna District Collector B. Lakshmikantham said nine people were admitted to hospitals. The condition of one of the injured is stated to be critical.
The National Disaster Response Force personnel joined divers in the rescue operation, which was hampered due to the darkness after sunset.
Chinnarajappa announced Rs.8 lakh compensation each to the families of the deceased.
Overload is believed to be the cause of the accident, he said, adding that the private company also did not have permission to operate the boat.
Survivors said they boarded the private boat as the boats of the Tourism Department were not available. They also complained that there were no life jackets on the boat.
The District Collector said a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was booked against the company operating the boat.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed shock over the accident and ordered a probe by a senior police officer.