Capsized boat retrieved but confusion reigns over deaths

Vessel carrying about 60 passengers tipped over during gale winds and heavy rains

Amid growing fears that none of the missing passengers had survived, the boat which capsized in river Godavari last evening was retrieved yesterday in the joint operation by the Indian Navy and the National Disaster Relief Force.

Some of the bodies were stuck in the boat which was found at the depth of 20 metres.

While four bodies were recovered, there was no clarity on the exact number of missing people.

The search operation, which had started on Tuesday night, picked up pace at daybreak.

An Indian Navy helicopter was also pressed into service.

Authorities installed flood lights to help divers in search operations during the night. Heavy cranes were brought in the morning to bring the boat out to the bank.

No record of passengers

The boat carrying about 60 passengers, mostly local tribal people, had capsized due to gale winds and heavy rains between Devipatnam of East Godavari and Kondrukota in West Godavari district at around 5pm on Tuesday.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu arrived in Vadapally village, the base of search operations on Wednesday morning to supervise the efforts.

Earlier the chief minister held a review meeting with the director-general of police Malakondaiah and chief secretary and directed them to make arrangements for post mortems and other formalities so the bodies could be handed over to the families soon.

While about 20 people managed to swim to the safety man others were feared dead.

The number of missing was varying from 20 to 40 by different accounts. Usually, no record is kept of the passengers who board such boats.