Nine, including seven children, die as boat capsizes in Odisha
What's the story
The death toll in the boat capsize incident in the Mahanadi river reached nine today, as eight more bodies were recovered in Odisha's Kendrapara district, officials said.
While the body of a woman was found shortly after the incident took place yesterday evening, eight bodies, including seven children, were recovered during a search operation in the early hours today, they said.
Details here.
Compensation
Naveen Patnaik has announced ex-gratia of Rs. 4L each
"Altogether nine bodies have been recovered but the body of a six-year-old girl, who is believed to be dead, is yet to be retrieved," said Kendrapara district Collector Dasarathy Satpathy.
Expressing deep grief, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced ex-gratia of Rs. 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased, an official said, adding he also issued several instructions yesterday.
Information
The deceased include two women and seven children
Patnaik had yesterday night instructed the administration and a search team to expedite rescue operations. The deceased included two women aged between 40-45 years and seven children (7-10 years), Satpathy said. The victims were residents of Hasina village in Kujang area of Jagatsinghpur district.
Rescue
ODRAF, Coast Guard teams, local fishermen carried out rescue operation
The incident took place when the mechanized boat carrying 10 people, who were returning after a picnic at the Light House at Hukitola, capsized in the Mahanadi river yesterday evening, the district collector said.
Fire brigade personnel and members of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), along with Coast Guard teams and local fishermen, carried out the rescue and search operations, Satpathy added.
Information
Villagers stage blockade, demand adequate compensation for families of deceased
The boat capsized apparently after losing balance in Batighar creek under the jurisdiction of Mahakalpada police station. Meanwhile, residents of Hasina village staged a blockade on Paradip-Cuttack and Paradip-Chandikhole roads at Bhutmundai near Paradip, demanding adequate compensation for the families of the deceased, police said.