Cuttack: A major mishap was averted on the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima after a passenger boat carrying over 30 people, including eight children, capsized in river Mahanadi near Kandarpur village under Athagarh police station limits in Cuttack district on Wednesday.
According to reports, the ill-fated boat was ferrying passengers from Kandarpur to Amangeikuda island in river Mahanadi, a popular destination for devotees during Kartik Purnima celebrations, when it suddenly sank near a ghat close to Kandarpur for unknown reasons.
As the boat went down, passengers fell into the water. Some managed to swim to safety, while others were rescued with the help of local residents who rushed to the spot. Fortunately, all passengers were safely rescued, and no casualties or major injuries have been reported.
Local police and administrative officials reached the spot soon after being informed. Preliminary information suggests that an inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the mishap and whether the boat was overloaded or operating without proper safety measures.
The incident has raised concerns over passenger safety and regulation of ferry services, especially during the Kartik Purnima rush when thousands travel by boats to riverine shrines across the state.
