The Hindu : Front Page : 11 persons killed in boat capsize

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11 persons killed in boat capsize

Staff Reporter

Tragedy in Krishna near a hamlet on Nalgonda-Mahabubnagar border

SHOCKING END: The site where the boat capsized in Krishna river on Friday.

NALGONDA: Eleven persons, including seven Lambada tribals, were killed when an overcrowded boat carrying about 50 persons on a pilgrimage capsized in the Krishna river near a hamlet under Kambalapalli gram panchayat on the Nalgonda-Mahabubnagar district border on Friday afternoon.

According to sources, about 50 villagers set out on a pilgrimage to a temple at Mannavaripalli in Achampet mandal of Mahabubnagar district in a boat on Friday afternoon. The overloaded boat tilted and subsequently capsized while on its way towards its destination.

The deceased were identified as Sapavath Pulya, 60, Sapavath Raju, 15, Nenavath Parangan, 28, Sapavath Para, 40, S Vijaya Laxmi, 19, S Ishwarya, 7, S Chintu, 7, P Savithramma, 35, Mekala Ayyamma, 60, M Mallaiah, 10 and Raju, 7. Collector M Purushotham Reddy and Superintendent of Police B Srinivasulu rushed there and supervised the rescue operations.

The boat, normally used for fishing, was hired by the villagers to visit Bavoji temple in connection with Srirama Navami festival.

In a daring act, Laxman Naik saved four persons from drowning but lost four of his own relatives. Sharada rescued three persons from drowning by flinging her own sari towards them which enabled them to swim to safety. “The boat tilted on one side due to strong winds as it approached Somarapupaya,” Naik said. “I rescued those whom I spotted but my efforts to save my relatives went in vain,” he lamented.

As news of the tragedy spread, a pall of gloom descended on Teldevarapalli, a tiny village from where all the victims hailed. Meanwhile, the Collector called on the bereaved families and announced Rs. 5,000 as interim relief to each family. He assured them of further assistance too.

YSR’s condolences

Hyderabad Special Correspondent adds: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, while expressing grief over the tragedy, has directed the Collector to take up immediate relief measures.

A press release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office said Dr. Reddy asked officials to provide Rs. 50,000 each from the CM’s Relief Fund and under the ‘Apatbandhu’ scheme. He conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.

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