Ten drown, 40 missing as boat capsizes in River Krishna

Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, Jan 18 (UNI) At least ten people drowned and over 40 others were feared dead after an over-crowded boat, carrying villagers on a pilgrimage, capsized in the River Krishna in Andhra Pradesh today.

The bodies of the ten villagers were recovered out by search parties pressed into service by the police and revenue officials from Kurnool and Mahaboobnagar districts on both the banks of the river.

Those missing are feared dead after the rescue team failed to spot them.

About 60 villagers of Murvakonda in Nandikotkur mandal of Kurnool district had taken a catamaran to attend a 'Jatra' in Mahaboobnagar district on the other bank of the River Krishna.

The boat, which was meant to carry only half the capacity, capsized downstream of Srisailam.

Ten people were rescued and five of them hospitalised at Kollapur in Mahaboobnagar district. The rest were discharged after first aid.

Andhra Pradesh Labour Minister G Vinod, who is in charge of Mahaboobnagar district and Commercial Taxes Minister K Rama Krishna, in charge of Kurnool District, rushed to the spot.

Powerful motor boats and expert swimmers launched search operation.

Both the banks were thronged by the relatives of missing persons.

UNI