Eight people were feared drowned in two separate incidents. Four engineering students were feared drowned in the Krishna after they ventured into the water at the Pavitrasangamam of Ibrahimpatnam mandal on Saturday. Four of a family, including two children, reportedly committed suicide by jumping into the Godavari at Kovvuru in West Godavari.
More than 70 rescue personnel of various agencies including the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force, the fire, the police and local fishermen in 20 boats were still searching for the students.
K. Praveen, 18, of Sowpadu (Guntur), N. Srinadh, 19, of Tiruvuru, K. Naga Krishna Chaitanya, 18, of Reddygudem and P. Raj Kumar of Kothapeta in the city studying engineering second year visited the Pavitrasangamam on Saturday afternoon. According to the police, the four entered the river to take bath in the permitted area close to the confluence point and Chaitanya, who had climbed the cautionary barrier, fell into the other side where the water of the Godavari was gushing into the Krishna.
“To rescue him, the other three crossed the railing and also fell. The fifth student who stayed back on the ghat raised an alarm. The police and the SDRF responded quickly and launched the search operation,” JCP Kanti Rana Tata told reporters.
About seven months ago, 21 persons died after a boat capsize in the Krishna a few meters away from the spot.
In Kovvuru, the bodies of P. Ravi Kumar, his wife Pavani and daughter Pujitha were fished out on Saturday. The family belongs to Kotabommali of Srikakulam district and had been to Kovvuru on Thursday.
Persons who are in distress or in disturbed mood can dial 1Life Suicide Prevention Helpline No.78930 78930.