RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: Two persons died when a boat carrying 12 capsized in the Godavari at Pushkar Ghat on Monday night, while others managed to reach the river bank safely.
According to the police, a group of 12 people from Simhachalam Nagar, Ganesh Nagar and Kotilingalapeta hired the boat to go to Bridge Lanka Island for a liquor party. The boat capsized between the 6th and 7th pillars of the old rail bridge while the group was returning from the island.
Around midnight, the boat hit a pillar, and water started entering it. Sensing that the boat was going to sink, all the occupants jumped into the river. Ten of them managed to swim to the shore safely, while the other two drowned.
The deceased were Gada Raju (23), an AC mechanic, and Chevala Annavaram (54), a washerman. In all, 23 people went to the island in two batches in boats. The first batch of 11 returned to the shore safely. Joint Collector China Ramudu oversaw rescue operations. East Godavari Collector P Prasanthi ordered an inquiry.