Jajpur: A joyous family outing to witness Goddess Durga idol immersion ceremony turned into a nightmare on Thursday morning when a small fishing boat carrying four members of a family capsized in Tantighai River in Odisha’s Jajpur district.
According to sources, the tragic mishap occurred around 8:30 am near Danarkula Ghat in Bari area under Jajpur Sadar police limits when the small boat suddenly lost its balance and overturned mid-stream, plunging all four passengers into the water, as they were returning home from Mohammad Jamalpur. Alert local residents rushed to the scene upon hearing cries for help and managed to rescue two women – identified as 75-year-old Hemalata Dalei and 60-year-old Bhama Dalei. They were rushed to the Jajpur District Headquarters Hospital, where Bhama of Namatikiri village tragically succumbed.
Two others – 8-year-old boy, Subha Dalei, and a youth, Mania Dalei of Danarkula village – remain missing. Following the alert, local administration and Fire Services department personnel have launched a search operation to trace them.
Sources added that Mania was reportedly ferrying his mother, aunt and the boy across the river when the boat capsized. Police have launched an investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
