12 Dead as Boat Capsizes in Odisha’s Hirakud Reservoir

Posted By : Usha Sagar Modified On : February 10, 2014

Boat accident claims 12 lives in Sambalpur

Twelve people drowned when a boat overturned in the Hirakud reservoir. The accident happened in the Sambalpur district of Odisha. The boat was coming back from the reservoir, carrying around 100 people on it. The group comprised of people from the Lion’s Club of Hirakud, Bargarh and Sambalpur.

It has been reported that the dead included two children and five women. Ten are missing after the accident. As per the information from the local people, 16 bodies were retrieved by the rescue teams from the reservoir.

A survivor said, “. . . the boat developed a snag mid-way and water also entered in the boat, which led to capsize.”

The rescue team included workforce of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), the police, and the fire brigade. Some local divers also helped in the rescue operations. Immediate help was provided as four boats reached the site of accident in time.

P.K. Mohapatra, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), stated, “Ten bodies have so far been fished out and the number of casualty may rise.”

The injured were carried to the nearby VSS Medical College Hospital and the District Headquarters Hospital. The government of Odisha has announced free medical assistance for the survivors.