65 missing after boat capsizes

HYDERABAD: Amidst receding hopes of finding survivors, the Eastern Naval Command pressed naval divers into service to fish out the bodies of those feared dead in a boat capsize in the Krishna river at Mehboobnagar district of Andhra Pradesh.

About 65 people, including 16 women and 18 children, are feared drowned when the boat capsized in the river on Thursday. The boat, with a capacity of 35, was carrying nearly 80 passengers to Singotam to participate in a religious gathering. Sixteen persons swam to safety.

Since the rickety boat capsized in the backwaters of Srisailam dam, where depth of water was said to be nearly 100 metres, swimmers were unable to trace the bodies. Locals  and family members of the dead, thronged the shores to get news of their beloved. Presence of crocodiles in the area enhanced their fears.