A motorboat carrying a picnic party capsized in the Hirakud reservoir on Sunday afternoon due to overload. All the persons are the members of the Sambalpur lions Club. Male members apart, there were a few women and children in the boat too.
Ashok Jalan of Sambalpur lions Club said nearly 150 persons went in two motor boats inside the reservoir during a picnic near Jamadarpali. But one of the boats was overloaded and the motor of the boat stopped functioning in the middle of the reservoir. Water also started flowing inside the boat finally leading to the mishap.
However, the occupants of the second boat informed the matter to the other members, police and local administration. Immediately rescue teams in eight country boats conducted a rescue operation.
"A few people were fished out from the water in unconscious condition and hospitalized," informed Sambalpur dist Collector Balwant Singh. It is further learnt that some people are missing and the rescue operation is on. Since the incident happed in a far off place inside the dam, details were awaited. No casualty was reported till the report was being filed. Police officers, fire brigade and ODRAF team are working hard to save the accident victims, Collector Singh informed.