Jharsuguda: Two person reportedly died while 7 others went missing as a boat capsized near a ghat of Hirakud reservoir in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district on Friday.
Expressing his condolences to the families of the two persons who died in the mishap, the Chief Minister announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for each family of the victims. He also wished early recovery of the passengers who sustained injuries in the mishap and were undergoing treatment in hospital.
According to sources, the boat carrying 50 passengers was going from Patharseni Kuda to Banjipalli in Bargarh district. As it was about to reach Sarada ghat under Rengali police station in the district, the boat capsized.
Local fishermen rescued 35 passengers and brought them to the ghat. They found the body of a passenger who is suspected to have died of drowning.
Later, police and Fire services personnel joined in the rescue operation. They rescued seven more passengers.
Seven other passengers were still missing while the search operation by the Fire services personnel along with the fishermen was going on.
Directing the district administration to ensure to provide necessary facilities to the injured persons, Naveen directed the chief secretary and special relief commissioner (SRC) to coordinate the rescue and relief operations.
Following the boat capsize, RDC, Jharsuguda, district collector and SP rushed to the spot and were looking after the rescue works. On the direction of the chief minister, 5 scuba divers and two search cameras have been air-dashed to Jharsuguda to help in the search operation.