Ten killed after boat capsizes in Vijayawada

A tourist boat on the Krishna river capsized around 5 p.m on Sunday in Vijayawada, killing ten people.

The boat was heading to Pavithra Sangamam near Ibrahimpatnam from Bhavani Island.

Five persons who were stranded under the overturned boat had died by the time the rescue teams reached them. Twenty others are said to be missing.

The boat, belonging to AP Tourism, started from Bhavani Island in river Krishna at Bhavanipuram reportedly with 38 people on board. Most of the tourists are said to be from Ongole in Prakasam district.

Preliminary reports said the bodies of ten persons were recovered while 15 others were rescued from drowning. Many more are said to be missing. Sources said the tragedy occurred when the boat was heading from Rayapudi to Ferry.

Expert swimmers and NDRF teams have set out on rescue operations and officials are worried that darkness may hamper search operations.

The Bhavani Island attracts a large number of picnickers in the ongoing Karthika Masam and Sunday saw a large number of people on board the tourism boat introduced recently. As per reports, the boat doesn’t have permission to operate in the river.