Senthil Kumar & Muralidharan Pillai
Dhani Nallah, Middle Andaman, Dec 16: Six people are feared drowned as a motorized dinghy capsized near Dhani Nallah this morning, officials said today.
According to reports, as many as 25 passengers were travelling to Dhani Nallah area from Cutbert Bay area of Middle Andaman this morning, when suddenly a big wave turned the dinghy upside down.
Sources confirmed that the accident took place at 10.30 am. Out of 25 passengers 19 swam to safety, while six others were missing. Of them two each were male, female and children. Their names are Ganga Mondal, 80, Female, Ajit Baroi, 25, Male, Sekhar Biswas, 22, male, Jharna Das, 22, female, Ankush Das, 1, male, Supriya Mondal, 2.5, female.
The 19 people who could be saved have been shifted to the PHC Billiground and given medical aid, two of whom were given IV fluid.
Later Police Team with the help of Indian Coast Guard recovered three bodies, which were immediately sent to Billyground Primary Health Centre. The Police team from OP Betapur and PS Billiground also reached the spot immediately and are assisting in search & rescue operation. Andaman & Nicobar Command, divers from Navy and Coast Guard swung into action immediately. CG helicopters were immediately pressed to service during this hour of emergency. Forest team was the first to response and they rescued one person stranded in an uprooted tree.
According to survivor, the dinghy was overloaded with 25 passengers, 3 pigs and several gunny bags full of rice.
Meanwhile, commenting on this tragic incident the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lt. Gen (Retd.) A K Singh has expressed deep sorrow in social networking site twitter.
“Very tragic n sad,,all efforts being made but w/0 success so far,” the Lt. Governor twitted.
Asked about imposing some restrictions over illegal dinghy operation for passengers in twitter, the Lt. Governor replied “We hav to sensitize people möre,,regulation already exists.”
Upon receiving intimation about the disaster, the Deputy Commissioner, North & Middle Andaman, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Assistant Commissioner, Rangat, Smt. Menaka, DySP and Tehsildar, Rangat rushed to the accident site at Dhaninallah to supervise the operations. The entire operation is being monitored closely by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Revenue), Shri Mohanjeet Singh.
