15 people have drowned and over 20 more are feared dead in a tragic accident on the Godavari - an overcrowded boat capsized in the Uppateru channel in West Godavari district. 4 children and 5 women are among the toll. They pilgrims were travelling for a ceremony at Antarvedi temple to be performed today, a full moon day. 40 of them have been rescued.
The boat, travelling from Biyyatippu to Antarvedi, started at around 7:30am. It was carrying around 80 people, while its capacity was merely one-fourth of the number.
The CM Rosaiah had called for a high-level inquiry into the accident. Minister for Rural Development Vatti Vasantha Kumar, who hails from the district, has rushed to the place to over rescue work. Raghuveera Reddy, the minister in charge of the district will also reach there by afternoon.