A tragic incident occurred in Maharashtra's Beed district on Wednesday when a boat carrying more than 35 pilgrims overturned in the Godavari River at Purushottampuri, resulting in the death of one woman and injuries to several others. The deceased has been identified as Pramila Rathod.
Details of the Accident
According to police reports, the boat lost balance in the middle of the river and capsized as it was carrying passengers beyond its permitted capacity. The vessel was overcrowded, leading to the mishap. Soon after the accident, local villagers and police personnel rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Many passengers were successfully rescued from the river, while the injured were promptly shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Official Response and Inquiry Ordered
Beed District Collector Vivek Johnson visited the accident site to review the situation. He also met with the survivors and expressed condolences. Johnson ordered an inquiry into the incident, stating, "This morning, between 10:00 am and 10:30 am, in Majalgaon Purushottam Puri, a boat capsized in the Godavari River. The people who had come to pay their respects were on that boat. Among them, one woman has passed away, and another woman has been seriously injured. I have already admitted the injured woman to the hospital. All other people have been rescued."
He further added, "During this time, we had already taken full security measures, and both our boat and rescue team, along with the local citizens' rescue mission, were well-coordinated, which reduced the severity of this incident. Still, I will be holding a review meeting to determine what further precautions and improvements can be taken in the future."
The district collector confirmed that a sub-divisional officer-level inquiry has been ordered and assured that strict action would be taken against those found responsible. "I have already instructed the sub-divisional officer of Majalgaon to conduct an inquiry into this and submit a report. We will also investigate the cause of this accident, what improvements can be made, who is responsible, and what further actions need to be taken," he said.
Community and Rescue Efforts
The prompt response from villagers and police helped minimize casualties. The coordinated rescue operation involving local citizens and official teams ensured that most passengers were saved. The injured are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals, and authorities are monitoring their condition. The incident has raised concerns about safety measures for pilgrim boats and overcrowding on waterways.
