Several persons were feared drowned when a boat capsized in river Godavari in East Godavari district on Tuesday.

National Disaster Response Force personnel have been pressed into service to trace the missing persons, official sources said. The number of passengers in the boat at the time of the accident was also not clear even as reports said at least 10 persons swam to safety.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China Rajappa spoke to East Godavari district officials over phone and enquired about the incident. The Chief Minister directed the District Collector to deploy special teams to rescue the victims, a release said.

Strong wind was said to have caused the mishap, an official said over phone from Rajamahendravaram. The ill-fated boat was on its way to Rajamahendravaram from Kondamodalu when tragedy struck

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the loss of lives in a boat tragedy in Andhra Pradesh and prayed for the safe return of those missing. “Anguished by the capsizing of a boat in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the safety of those missing,” he tweeted.