Khurda: June 17: Bodies of all six missing persons could be recovered from Chilika Lake as they were missing due to the boat capsize incident occurred in Chilika Lake which took place Saturday evening. Sources said, bodies of two women and a minor boy were recovered early in the morning and after an intense search by fire personnel & ODRAF team, body of one more was fished out. Also, two bodies were recovered yesterday only.
The incident occurred at around 5.30 pm on Saturday when the boat carrying 18 passengers from Bhubaneswar and Nayagarh were returning from Kalijai to Balugaon. As reported, the boat capsized under the impact of strong wind during a thunderstorm that lashed the region. One of the passenger said, ‘After darshan of Kalijai, the weather conditions got deteriorated and boatman asked them to come quickly. But, while returning, the boat overturned’.
Out of 18 passengers, 12 were rescued and admitted to Balugaon Hospital and later two were shifted to Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar as their condition deteriorated. Over 50 fire personnel, 40-member ORDAF team, six power boats, personnel of Indian Navy, 16 divers and local fishermen were engaged in rescue operation.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief and concern over the issueand has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the kin of deceased and free medical treatment for all the injured persons.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was also deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the incident and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured.
