Bhopal: At least 11 people died after the boat they were in capsized during Ganpati Visarjan at Khatlapura Ghat in the Lower Lake here in Madhya Pradesh in the wee hours on Friday.
Eleven bodies were fished out from the lake by the rescue team, ANI reported.
Madhya Pradesh: 11 bodies recovered at Khatlapura Ghat in Bhopal after the boat they were in, capsized this morning. Search operation is underway. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/mEMSJdzhE9
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2019
“Five people have been rescued out of 16 and we have recovered 11 bodies till now. A search operation is underway and we are trying to rescue other people as well. According to the locals, only these many people had drowned here, but we are still searching in case we find some other people,” said Akhil Patel, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), reported news agency ANI.
The accident occurred when a heavy idol of Ganesha tilted in the boat in mid-waters.
According to eyewitnesses, two boats were interlinked, carrying 23 people. All people were aged 27-28 years. No one was wearing a life jacket. As one boat overturned, people from it tried jumping on to the other. And the balance was lost.
Chief Minister Kamal Nath directed officials for magisterial inquiry into the incident. The State government has announced Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of the deceased.
Also Read: Railway Ministry Reduces Freight Incentives To Boost Economy
Ms Kalinga