Eight people died and several others missing after a tourist boat capsized in the swollen Godavari river near Devipatnam in East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh yesterday. The boat was reportedly carrying 73 people including 11 crew members. Sources said, 26 people have been rescued. NDRF, Revenue and Police Teams have been engaged in search and rescue operations.
The boat started off for the picturesque Papikondalu, a prime tourist destination, from Gandi Pochamma Temple near Devipatnam and it capsized near Kachhuluru. Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced 10 lakh rupees ex-gratia each to the families of the deceased.