Chilika boat capsize: All six bodies fished out, Odisha CM announces ex gratia

Chilika: The bodies of all six missing persons drowned in deep water due to strong wind were fished out from Chilika lake here today.

The search and rescue operation by fire personnel and ODRAF team completed with recovery of four missing bodies this morning.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep grief over loss of lives in yesterday’s boat capsize tragedy in Chilika and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved families.

He announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. He also announced free medical treatment for the injured.

The tragic incident occurred at around 5:30 pm on Saturday when a boat carrying 18 persons including a boatman was returning from Kalijai temple to Balugaon. All the passengers were from Nayagarh and Bhubaneswar.

The boat capsized due to thunderstorm accompanied by strong wind occurred over the lake in the evening. The onlookers, volunteers and fire brigade personnel rescued 12 persons following the mishap. The injured persons were rushed to Balugaon Community Health Centre (CHC) for treatment. Later, two were shifted to the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar after their condition deteriorated.

The rescue team recovered two bodies yesterday. Five bodies were recovered in the morning and one was missing. Later, the missing body was also fished out from the water.