Panic gripped the families of those caught in the Andhra Pradesh boat tragedy on Sunday with many making frantic calls to friends and relatives for help in locating their kin who were ‘missing’.

Sources said at least 30 persons from Hyderabad were on the boat to the picturesque Papikondalu when it capsized in the Godavari river near Devipatnam in AP on Sunday afternoon. While searches are on to trace the missing persons, the families of at least 10 persons on that ill-fated boat were relieved after hearing of their well-being.

“Twenty-one persons from Hyderabad are still missing and a woman identified as Jyothi was declared dead,” source said.

Apart from the engineers of police housing corporation, others missing include four from Hayatnagar and five each from Tolichowki and Uppal.

Those from Hayatnagar had gone on a leisure trip after a hectic schedule during Ganesh Chaturthi festivities that they had organised at a pandal.

“Bharani Kumar, along with his brother Laddu and cousins Vishal and Arjun, went to Rajahmundry three days ago. While Laddu and Vishal came in contact, the other two are still missing,” said their uncle Jangiah, who rushed to Rajahmundry soon after the news about the boat tragedy broke.

‘Removed life jackets’

Speaking to the media, Janaki Rama Rao, who was on the boat, said they were given life jackets, but some of them took those off since it was too hot.

“Five of our family members had come from Hyderabad. Around 1.30 p.m., I was trying to take off my life jacket when the crew announced that they would serve lunch. The vessel capsized and overturned on me, but I managed to swim to safety,” he said.