Two killed, five children feared drowned as boat engaged in flood relief operation capsizes in UP's Ghazipur

VARANASI: Two persons were killed while five children were missing after a boat engaged in flood relief operation capsized due to over loading near Athahatha village under the limits of Revatipur police station in Ghazipur district on Wednesday late afternoon.
The incident took place few hours later of chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s Ghazipur visit to take stock of flood relief operations. Taking serious note of incident, CM has issued strict directives to the officials of district administration and police to engage teams of NDRF, SDRF and others for rescue operation and ensure best possible treatment for injured.

Monitoring the on-going rescue operation ADG Varanasi zone Ram Kumar said, "In the incident of capsizing of a boat in Ghazipur two persons had died while five children were missing. Other 18 persons on board had succeeded in coming out of water safely. District magistrate Ghazipur and SP are camping at site to monitor the search operation in which teams of NDRF, SDRF and local divers have also been engaged."
Locals said that Athahatha village had become marooned following flood in river Ganga. After buying necessary articles some villagers had boarded a boat engaged in flood relief operation. Before the boatman could start sailing many labourers also boarded it. They said that the boatman repeatedly requested them to avoid overloading as the boat had capacity to board only seven-eight persons. However, people present there forced him to sail the boat to take them to Athahatha village.
With 25 persons on board, the boat sailed towards Athahatha.
However, while passing through inundated fields of the village, the boat capsized. While 18 persons succeeded in coming out of water safely two died before the locals could rescue them. Five children, who were on board, went missing.
On getting information cops from Revatipur reached the spot and intensified rescue operation with the help of locals. According to police, the persons who died in the mishap were identified as Shiv Shankar Gond (45) and Nagina Paswan (72) of Athahatha village. Search operation was continuing for five missing children between 10 and 12 years in age.
The incident had taken place after almost three hours later of CM's visit. Expressing grief on the incident, the chief minister has directed the officials of district administration and police to reach the spot and intensify search and relief operation.