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Maxi-cab falls into the Krishna, 23 killed

Staff Correspondent

Five survive; nine children among dead

ALAMATTI (BIJAPUR DISTRICT): At least 23 persons, including nine children, were killed and five injured when the maxi-cab in which they were travelling fell into the Krishna here on Tuesday. Most of the dead were from Bahadurbandi and Agalkera villages near Koppal and Gangavathi in Koppal district. All of them were relatives.

The vehicle fell into the river from the Alamatti Bridge on National Highway 13 after hitting a motorcycle around 11.30 a.m. By 6 p.m., rescue teams were able to retrieve 12 bodies. Soon after the accident, water discharge from the Alamatti Dam located one km upstream was stopped to facilitate the rescue operation.

However, there was no chance of saving lives as the vehicle had gone under water. Trapped in the vehicle, most of the victims, a majority of whom were children and women, died instantly. Yet, five persons, including two women and an 11-year-old boy, came out of the vehicle through the windows to be rescued. Those who survived are middle-aged Annapurnamma and Earamma, Pradeepkumar Angadi (11), driver of the vehicle Nagaraj Angadi (30) and cleaner of the vehicle Nagaraj (25).

There were contradictions about the number of passengers in the vehicle. Police and other officers from Bagalkot and Bijapur districts rushed to the spot. However, retrieving the bodies and lifting the vehicle got delayed for want of cranes and a proper place to park them.

Bangalore Staff Reporter reports:

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has condoled the death of the 23 persons in the accident. He has announced a compensation of Rs. 50,000 each for the families of the victims.

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