Boat capsizes in Krishna river,16 people died

Krishna, November 13: At least 16 people, including nine women, died and seven were missing after an overloaded boat with 41 people on board capsized in the Krishna river near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.

Those who were rescued told reporters that the boat was overcrowded. The maximum capacity of the boat was 20 but over 38 passengers were sailing when the mishap occurred.

The victims said all of a sudden the boat tilted to one side and capsized. Only 15 of them wore life-jackets.

So far, 16 bodies have been recovered from the river. All of them belonged to Ongole Walkers' Club. We are in the process of identifying the victims. Rescue operations are on to know the whereabouts of missing persons,” deputy chief minister N Chinna Rajappa, who holds home portfolio, told reporters late evening.



Rajappa also announced an ex gratia of Rs 8 lakh to each of the families of the deceased. "If they had taken the insurance under Chandranna Bima Scheme, an additional amount of Rs 2 lakh would be paid to each family," he said.