A tragic incident took place in the East Godavari district today when four persons went missing in an accident that took place when a country boat overturned in the Godavari river at Pashuvullanka in Polavaram mandal.
The boat started from Saladivaripalem Lanka for Pashuvullanka with 30 people. It however overturned when it hit the pillar of a bridge under construction at the Mondillanka dock. The incident took place in a Vrudha Gouthami Paya, which was close to the sea. The boat hit the pillar due to the intense current of the river due to the flood water coming from Dhavaleshwaram.
It is learnt that most of those travelling in the boat were school students. Some students escaped by climbing a nearby pillar. Fishermen and locals saved many others - 26 persons so far - and are yet to trace the missing four. The police and local officials have reached the spot, and the search is on to trace the missing persons.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep shock over the incident. He alerted the revenue officials and police, and asked them to furnish the details of the incident. He also directed the Collector to review the situation.