Jharsuguda, April 19: Two persons, including a woman died and at least four others went missing after the boat carrying them capsized in the Mahanadi River in Jharsuguda on Friday.
The deceased were stated to be the residents of neighbouring Chhattisgarh.
As per reports, about 50 people including children and women from Bandhipali area in Bargarh district were on the boat. In the middle of the journey, the boat capsized near Saradha under Lakhanpur block.
Seeing the incident, local fishermen came to the rescue of the people trying to keep themselves afloat. They rescued over 40 people.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the death of two persons and announced Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia each for the next of kin of the deceased.
He also directed to send five scuba divers and two underwater search cameras to the spot in a special flight from Bhubaneswar for the rescue operations.
“As directed by Chief Minister five expert Scuba divers along with two underwater search cameras are being urgently airlifted from Bhubaneswar to reach Jharsuguda to join the rescue operation. The aircraft will take off any moment. Team is at the airport,” said a release from the Directorate of Fire Service.
“Fire team from Ambabhona Fire Station is at the spot. Rescue teams from Bhatli, Bargarh, Lakhanpur and Sambalpur are on the way. DG F & E has directed Fire Officer Northern Range to personally supervise the operation at the spot. State Fire Control Room is coordinating operations under the direct supervision of DG Fire Service and Emergency,” it stated.
