Magisterial inquiry into Katchuluru boat accident, which claimed 34 lives so far

Amaravati: The State government ordered a Magisterial Inquiry into the Vasista Punnami Royal (G+1), a private tourist boat capsized incident in Godavari River, near Katchuluru in East Godavari district on September 15. In this accident, so far 34 dead bodies including 3 children, 8 women and 23 men were retrieved. Still, the search operations are going with high intensity for the missing 13 persons bodies. Fortunately, only 26 persons including 2 women were rescued, out of the suspected total 73 passengers including 8 crew members.

Rajat Bhargav, Principal Secretary, Industries and Ports directed the East Godavari district collector and District Magistrate to conduct the Magisterial inquiry by Joint Collector and Additional District Magistrate. He also directed the collector to submit the report within two months. The government has ordered this probe based on a preliminary report submitted by Kakinada Port Director.

The office of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has directed the officials to enquire into all failures, lapses and material incidental to the accident.