40 persons have a close shave after boat capsizes in Odisha

Nearly 40 persons had a close shave after a mechanised vessel which they boarded, capsised near Jamboo ferry ghat under Mahakalpada police station jurisdiction in Odisha's Kendrapara district.

A major boat tragedy was averted, the police said adding everyone on board the boat swam to safety. However, nine motor bikes that had fallen into the Gobari River after the boat capsised could not be retrieved, said Mahakalpada Tehsildar, Nilakantha Bhoi.

The boat was packed well beyond its normal capacity and the overcrowding led to capsise of the boat, he said. Legal action is being initiated against the errant private boat owner, Bhoi said adding boat was not equipped with safety gadgets like life saving jackets. The boat's driver has been detained, he said.

It was being examined whether the boat had fitness certificate from the inland water transport department for ferrying passengers, the Tehsildar said.

As per guidelines issued by the state government, the licence-permit for ferrying passengers could be provided only to those boats which would have safety gadgets, eco-friendly and less-noise-generating machines and insurance cover.