Reuters AlertNet Lite - Forty feared drowned as boat capsizes in south India

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Forty feared drowned as boat capsizes in south India

18 Jan 2007 13:35:12 GMT
Source: Reuters

HYDERABAD, India, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Over 40 pilgrims, including women and children, were feared drowned in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday when their overcrowded boat capsized, police said.

The incident happened when the group of around 50 pilgrims were returning from a Hindu religious festival on the banks of the Krishna river in Mehboobnagar district, about 180 km (110 miles) southwest of the state capital, Hyderabad.

"Only ten people were able to save themselves as the overcrowded boat sunk midstream under the weight of passengers," said K. Srinivas Reddy, the district's police superintendent.

Local people and police divers involved in the search and rescue operation had so far recovered 13 bodies, including those of a woman and two children, Reddy added.

The drowning of pilgrims is common in India, especially during religious festivals, with many boats poorly maintained and no checks made on whether owners are adhering to boat capacity regulations.

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Last updated:Thu Jan 18 13:38:12 2007