Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind have condoled the deaths of 12 people after a boat operated by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation capsized in Godavari River on Sunday. There were at least 63 people on the boat when the accident took place. 17 people have so far been rescued while scores are still missing.
PM Modi wrote on Twitter, “Extremely pained by the capsizing of a boat in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Rescue operations are currently underway at the site of the tragedy.” Modi also repeated his condolence message in Telugu on the microblogging site Twitter.
Extremely pained by the capsizing of a boat in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Rescue operations are currently underway at the site of the tragedy.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 15, 2019
President Ram Nath Kovind wrote, “Saddened to hear of capsizing of the boat in the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh. Thoughts and prayers with the bereaved families. Local authorities are undertaking rescue and relief efforts.”
Saddened to hear of capsizing of the boat in the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh. Thoughts and prayers with the bereaved families. Local authorities are undertaking rescue and relief efforts #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 15, 2019
A report by news agency PTI said that the boat had set off from Gandi Pochamma Temple near Devipatnam and was on its way to the picturesque Papikondalu hill range, a prime tourist destination.
Andhra Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, according to ANI, has ordered all available ministers in the district to supervise rescue works at the site of the incident. He has also directed officials to suspend all boating services in the region immediately.
Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force comprising 140 personnel have been deployed with a helicopter to rescue the remaining people.