BERHAMPUR: Four picnickers between the age of 18 yo 20 years were drowned, when a boat carrying them capsized in the Chilika lake today.
The boat with two boatmen and 29 passengers left Sabulia under Rambha police in Ganjam district to Ghantisila in the lake for a picnic. But on the way it over turned. A group of fishermen fishing in the lake noticed the incident and informed others.
Immediately, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, Fire Brigade teams besides 108 and 102 ambulances reached near the lake and started the rescue operation. Except four, the rest of the passengers were rescued successfully.
Of the other rescued passengers 11 were rushed to Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Medical College and Hospital (MKCGMCH), Berhampur for treatment.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed grief over the death in the boat capsize and declared Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia compensation to each of the bereaved families and free treatment to the survivals.