Karnataka: At least eight die after boat capsizes near Karwar
The Navy said 17 people were rescued and one person is still missing.
At least eight people died after a ferry boat carrying 26 capsized in Kali river near Karwar in Karnataka on Monday.
The Navy said 17 people were rescued by fishermen and other people in the area. The rescue personnel are still searching for one person. A Dornier aircraft has been dispatched from Goa to help with the rescue operations, the Navy added. Two Chetak helicopters of the Navy have also been dispatched from Goa, reports said.
The people had reportedly visited a temple located at a remote island in Karwar district, according to NDTV. The boat capsized while on their way back. Rupali Nayak, the legislator from the district, was on another boat. She said that she and members of her team immediately rushed to help the people and pulled two out of the water after it capsized.
The accident likely took place after the driver lost control of the boat, Superintendent of Police (Karwar) Vinay Patil told News18.
Clip from the accident site pic.twitter.com/YaimmvykyD
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 21, 2019
Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy condoled the death of the pilgrims. “I am shocked to learn about the boat accident near SagaraDarshana in Uttara Kannada,” the chief minister said on Twitter.
State Revenue and Skill Development Minister RV Deshpande said he was looking into the accident. “Rest are being treated in a nearby hospital. Immediate relief measures are being taken by district administration,” he added.
Of the 26 persons reported to ne on the boat, 17 people rescued by other civil boats operating in area. Eight bodies have been recovered by the naval & @IndiaCoastGuard assets deployed in area. Search is on for the one person still missing. Dornier a/c launched from Goa for SAR
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 21, 2019
Rushed to Karwar to look into the tragic accident in Kurumgadh near Karwar today. Boat carrying 20 pilgrims capsized and sadly 5 people have drowned. Rest are being treated in a nearby hospital. Immediate relief measures are being taken by district administration. pic.twitter.com/w0Uz3k3a31
— R V Deshpande (@RV_Deshpande) January 21, 2019
I am shocked to learn about the boat accident near SagaraDarshana in Uttara Kannada.I spoke to the Dist-in-Charge Min. @RV_Deshpande and took stock of the situation and directed DC of UK dist to speed up the rescue work. My prayers are with the near and dear ones of the victims.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) January 21, 2019