Boat capsize, 4 of a family swept away, Bodies of mother, infant recovered after 18 hours

 

 

 

WHAT began as a routine return home after a market visit ended in tragedy on the waters of the Indravati river when a boat carrying members of a single family capsized at Uspari Jhillighat under the Bhairamgarh police station area, here, on Wednesday evening, sweeping four people into the river’s strong current. After nearly 18 hours of search, the rescue team recovered the bodies of a woman and her infant daughter on Thursday, while the search for the father and another child continues. As per information, the tragic incident took place around 5 pm on Wednesday. All the victims were residents of Bodga village, located across the Indravati river. They were returning to their village after shopping at the Uspari market when the boat lost balance while crossing the river and overturned. There were five people on board the boat, out of whom one woman was rescued by local villagers. Soon after the incident, teams from the revenue department, health department and the home guards were alerted. However, the search operation could not be initiated on Wednesday night due to darkness.

 

On Thursday morning, the home guards' team left for the spot with a motorboat, but due to a vehicle breakdown on the way, the boat reached the ghat late, delaying the rescue operation. During the rescue operation, the bodies of the mother and her infant daughter were recovered from the river after around 18 hours. The infant was found tied to her mother with a towel. Efforts are continuing to trace the father and the other child. On receiving information about the incident, Bijapur MLA Vikram Mandavi reached the Uspari Jhillighat. He had earlier spoken to the villagers of Bodga over the phone and directed officials to take necessary action. The Health department team has also been kept on alert. Tehsildar Suryakant said that for dozens of villages located across the Indravati River, boats are the only means of transport for market access and for bringing PDS rations. Such boat accidents occur every year at river ghats, claiming several lives. At present, the municipal army team is engaged in the search operation with the help of a motorboat. The administration has appealed to villagers living along the riverbanks to remain cautious.