DHAKA: At least 19 people drowned in India after a boat overloaded with tourists capsized in the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday evening (November 12).

The accident took place near Vijaywada, about 275 km from Hyderabad, when the boat set off for Pavitra Sangamam at Ferry village near Vijayawada from Bhavani Island.

Police said that nearly 40 people were on board the vessel, many of them on their way to a religious festival. Twenty people survived the accident.

The National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) said that 20 people had been rescued. Rescue agencies are still searching for more bodies in the river.

The state tourism minister has ordered an investigation into the incident.

Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force, each with 30 members, were called into service to search for the survivors, a senior police officer said. A 45-members team from the State Disaster Relief Forces and the fire service teams were also at work.

Local media quoted police as saying the owner of the vessel did not have the necessary licences to ferry people, and that the boat was overcrowded.

One of the rescued persons said that there were no life jackets on board. The boatman, who is among the survivors, said no life jackets are needed on this stretch.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office tweeted that Mr Modi was "anguished" by the incident.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, leader of opposition YS Jaganmohan Reddy and other leaders have expressed grief over the tragedy.

A boat accident in north India in September killed 20 people.

Boats in India are often overloaded and lax safety standards mean accidents are common.

BDST: 1440 HRS, NOV 13, 2017
EHJ