Four die as boat capsizes in Chilika

At least four people, including two babies, died, while around 25 others were rescued after a boat ferrying them capsized in the Chilika Lake in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Saturday.

The incident occurred about two km from the shore when the motorised fishing boat on its way to Ghantasila from Sabulia, carrying 29 persons, sank in the lake after losing balance, a police officer said. Those onboard the boat were going to Ghantasila for a picnic after attending a wedding on Friday at Sabulia.

Local fishermen and boatmen fished out the bodies of four persons, including two children, while almost rest of all on board the overloaded boat were were brought to the shore by the rescuers and are being treated in hospitals, Ganjam District Collector P C Chaudhury said.

While 15 persons are being treated at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, the rest are admitted to hospitals in Rambha and Khallikote, he said, adding their condition is stable.