Andhra Pradesh: 11 dead as boat capsizes in Godavari river

At least eleven people were killed and several are missing after a boat with about 60 tourists capsized in Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, officials said.

According to the reports, 23 people have been rescued so far while a search was on for others.

Rescued passengers have been shifted to a hospital.

The Godavari river has been in spate for the past few days with over 5 lakh cusecs of floodwater was flowing on Sunday afternoon when the incident occurred, sources said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the officials to carry out rescue operations and has ordered an enquiry into the matter. 

The chief minister also directed the officials to suspend all boating services operated in the Godavari river

ONGC helicopters and teams of the National Disaster Response Force or NDRF have been called in to help with the rescue operation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he is extremely pained by the capsizing of a boat.

“Extremely pained by the capsizing of a boat in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Rescue operations are currently underway at the site of the tragedy,” Modi said.