Death toll in Chilika boat tragedy rises to six

The death toll in the Chilika Lake boat capsize incident today climbed to six with the recovery of four more bodies this morning, a district official said.

Twelve people, who were rescued by local fishermen, Navy and fire brigade personnel, have been sent to Balugaon Community Health Centre (CHC) in Khurda district and the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, he told reporters.

"Two bodies were fished out last night from the lake near Balugaon, after the boat capsized due to thunderstorms last evening. Four more were recovered this morning," Nirmal Mishra, Collector, Khurda district said.

The incident took place around 6 pm yesterday when a tourist boat, with 18 people on board, capsized due to strong winds and rain while returning to Balugaon from the Kalijai Temple, located on a small island in the lagoon, Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said.

A rescue team comprising personnel from fire brigade, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Navy, along with local fishermen and divers, was engaged in a night-long search operation, Mishra noted.

"Power boats were pressed into service for the rescue operation that lasted for more than six hours," he added.

Expressing grief over the tragedy, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the kin of the deceased and free medical treatment for all injured persons.