Dhenkanal: Personnel of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Fire Services continued search and rescue operation on Sunday to trace the four persons who went missing after the boat they were ferrying, capsized in Brahmani River near Khadakprasad ghat under Motanga Police limits in Dhenkanal district last night.
Sources said, around nine people including the four aforementioned persons boarded a boat for travelling from Khadakprasad ghat to Kundandeipur ghat across Brahmani river when it lost balance and capsized in the middle of the river.
While five persons managed to swim ashore, four others went missing during the incident. ODRAF and Fire personnel launched a search operation to rescue the missing persons but have been unable to trace them.
Locals and eyewitnesses who successfully managed to escape from the mishap narrated that the boat capsized in the river because of overloading.
“Due to flood-like situation in the river, the boat lost balance and capsized. We somehow made it to the shore but I hope that the rescuers trace the remaining persons who are still missing,” informed Rajendra Sahoo, a local.
Kamakshyanagar Sub- Collector Bishnu Prasad Acharaya said, “The fire personnel and ODRAF have been pressed into action since last night but the missing four persons are yet to be traced. We have also engaged a team on the other side of the river near Gangijodi ghat.”