Jharsuguda: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced financial compensation for the families of two victims of boat capsize in Jharsuguda district on Friday.
Expressing his condolences to the families of the two persons who died in the mishap, the Chief Minister announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for each family of the victims. He also wished early recovery of the passengers who sustained injuries in the mishap and were undergoing treatment in hospital.
Directing the district administration to ensure to provide necessary facilities to the injured persons, Naveen directed the chief secretary and special relief commissioner (SRC) to coordinate the rescue and relief operations.
Following the boat capsize, RDC, Jharsuguda, district collector and SP rushed to the spot and were looking after the rescue works. On the direction of the chief minister, 5 scuba divers and two search cameras have been air-dashed to Jharsuguda to help in the search operation.
The incident took place when the boat was ferrying 50 passengers from Chhattisgarh to Patharseni under Ambabana block of Bargarh district in Hirakud reservoir. As the boat was about to reach Sarada ghat under Rengali police station, it capsized.
Local fishermen rescued 35 passengers and brought them to the ghat. Two other passengers were found dead. They were suspected to have drowned in deep water.
Later, police and Fire services personnel joined in the rescue operation. They rescued seven more passengers. Six other passengers were still missing while the search operation was going on.
