Eight dead, one missing after a boat carrying 22 passengers from Jaatre capsized off the Karwar coast

Karwar 21 December 2019: (Bhatkallys News Bureau) At least eight feared dead after drowning while one person has been reported missing after a boat returning towards Karwar from Kurmgad capsized off the coast here on Monday afternoon. The deceased have been identified as Nilesh Rohidas Pednekar, Kumar, Jayashree Kotarkar, Annakka Ingalakar, Ganapathi Ingalkar, a three year old child and a woman's bodies are yet to be identified The missing passenger has been identified as Sreyas Pavaskar. The incident occurred around 3 pm on Monday, when the boat carrying 22 devotees was returning after taking part in “Kurmgad Narashima Jaatre” which was held at Kurmgad island. The island which is 3 km away from the mainland of Karwar has a temple which opens only for two days in a year. Every year about 25,000 people from coastal Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra visit the island to offer prayers. According to the eye witnesses, due to huge tide near the confluence of Kali river and the Arabian sea the boat lowered its speed and halted there. Moments later, when the boat tried to move forward the boat leaned to one side. As the people in the boat panicked and moved to other side of the boat capsized. Karwar MLA Roopali Naik who was also returning from the temple, rescued as many as six people on her boat. Indian Navy's Western Naval Command said that it was alerted about the incident at around 4.45 p. and had immediately dispatched two Chetak Helicopters and two fast interceptor crafts to the area for search and rescue. Diving teams from Karwar Naval area were deployed for the rescue operation. Among eleven people who were rescued seven have been admitted to Karwar Medical college while four have been reported to be in good health. As soon as the information was alerted, DC SS Nakul, SP Vinayak Patel, Zilla Panchayat CEO and other officials reached the spot. More information awaited. (Bhatkallys News Bureau)