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India Andhra Pradesh boat capsize: Several feared drowned | India Andhra Pradesh boat capsize: Several feared drowned |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 15 people are missing after a boat capsized in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. | At least 15 people are missing after a boat capsized in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. |
Reports say some 25 people were on board the vessel, many of them on their way back home from a weekly market. | Reports say some 25 people were on board the vessel, many of them on their way back home from a weekly market. |
The accident happened on the Godavari river on Tuesday evening. What caused the boat to capsize is unclear. | |
Officials say 10 passengers swam ashore. Rescue agencies, led by a federal disaster relief agency, are searching for bodies in the river. | Officials say 10 passengers swam ashore. Rescue agencies, led by a federal disaster relief agency, are searching for bodies in the river. |
None of the passengers were wearing lifejackets although they were available on the boat, police told BBC Telugu's Sangeetham Prabhakar. | None of the passengers were wearing lifejackets although they were available on the boat, police told BBC Telugu's Sangeetham Prabhakar. |
They added that the boat was a private, licensed vessel and the owner, who had also been operating the boat, is now in police custody. | They added that the boat was a private, licensed vessel and the owner, who had also been operating the boat, is now in police custody. |
A senior police official told The Indian Express newspaper that the medium-sized boat was "ferrying passengers from one hamlet to another along the river". | A senior police official told The Indian Express newspaper that the medium-sized boat was "ferrying passengers from one hamlet to another along the river". |
"We are not sure what caused the launch to capsize. We are talking to the survivors to ascertain what happened. The river is very shallow now, so if the boat had a problem it could have reached the bank within five minutes," Ajitha Vejendla said. | "We are not sure what caused the launch to capsize. We are talking to the survivors to ascertain what happened. The river is very shallow now, so if the boat had a problem it could have reached the bank within five minutes," Ajitha Vejendla said. |
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the families of the missing passengers later in the day. | Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the families of the missing passengers later in the day. |
Tuesday's incident in East Godavari district happened days after a boat carrying 80 tourists caught fire on Godavari river. All the passengers were saved in the incident. | |
Boats in India are often overloaded, and lax safety standards mean accidents are common. |
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