Bodies recovered of all six victims of Odisha boat accident

Bhubaneswar: The bodies of six persons who went missing after a boat sank in Odisha`s Dhenkanal district were recovered by Wednesday.

Personnel of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and fire brigade on Wednesday fished out two bodies while four others were recovered by Tuesday evening, an official said.

Police have lodged a complaint against the boatman, who fled after the accident.

"We have lodged a complaint against the boatman and one of his assistants. He is on the run. We are conducting raids to nab him," said Kamakhyanagar sub-divisional police officer Abdul Rahim.

Meanwhile, the district collector has submitted a preliminary report to the special relief commissioner, who has ordered a probe and submission of a report on the accident.

The state government announced an ex gratia payment of Rs.4 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased from the Chief Minister`s Relief Fund.

The boat sank late Monday evening as 30-35 villagers of Surapratappur were on way to Lord Daudeswar`s temple in Gondia block on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.