Chilika tragedy report blames gusty winds

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Bhubaneswar: The enquiry into the Chilika boat tragedy in which six persons, mainly children, died has blamed heavy winds for the mishap. Transport Minister Nrusingha Charan Sahu had ordered a probe into the tragedy.
Giving this information to the media Friday Transport Secretary G. Srinivas said, “Prima facie there was strong winds and the boat capsized due to that. Details will be given later after examination of the report. Corrective actions would be taken after submitting the report to the government.’’
‘‘Safety equipment was available in the boat. For the first time we had introduced boats in Khurda district with life jackets and lifebuoys. The boat’s passenger strength was 15 and 20 life jackets were provided,” he added.
‘‘The big question is how should the life saving equipment be used. We are going to focus on creating this awareness,’’ the Transport Secretary said. The director of Ports and Inland Water Transport had ordered a probe into the circumstances leading to the tragedy.
Last Saturday, at around 5.30 pm, the boat carrying 17 passengers including 15 tourists from Bhubaneswar and Nayagarh capsized in the Chilika Lake. The boat capsized due to a thunderstorm when the passengers were returning from Kalijai.
The bodies of two persons, including a minor girl, were retrieved Saturday while four more bodies, were recovered Sunday by the Fire Brigade and an ODRAF team.