LG condoles death; ex-gratia relief being released  

Port Blair, Dec. 16: In an unfortunate incident that took place in the sea at North & Middle Andaman, six people lost their lives. An engine dinghy was coming from Cutberth Bay to Betapur. As the engine dinghy was overloaded with 25 passengers, the boat capsized in the sea. Of the 25 passengers, 19 reached the shore safely. However, six people could not be saved and were missing. Of them two each were male, female and children. Their names are Ganga Mondal, 80, Female, Ajit Baroi, 25, Male, Sekhar Biswas, 22, male, Jharna Das, 22, female, Ankush Das, 1, male, Supriya Mondal, 2.5, female.

The 19 people who could be saved have been shifted to the PHC Billiground and given medical aid, two of whom were given IV fluid. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard airlifted two dead bodies from the sea near Panchawati while one body was found near the shore. The dead bodies of an adult male, an adult female and a child have been shifted to PHC Billiground.

Upon receiving intimation about the disaster, the Deputy Commissioner, North & Middle Andaman, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Assistant Commissioner, Rangat, Smt. Menaka, DySP and Tehsildar, Rangat rushed to the accident site at Dhaninallah to supervise the operations.  The entire operation is being monitored closely by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Revenue), Shri Mohanjeet Singh.

Meanwhile, the Andaman & Nicobar Command, divers from Navy and Coast Guard swung into action immediately. CG helicopters were immediately pressed to service during this hour of emergency. Forest team was the first to response and they rescued one person stranded in an uprooted tree.

The Police team from OP Betapur and PS Billiground also reached the spot immediately and are assisting in search & rescue operation. A team of six divers from Navy also landed at Nimbutala helipad but operations could not be launched due to sunset. Further, operations of divers will be launched from day break. The Police team is still in the field but due to darkness search & rescue operations have been hampered.

 

The Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, Lt. Gen (Retd) A.K. Singh has expressed profound grief on this unfortunate incident. He has extended his condolence to the bereaved members of the families of the deceased persons. Ex-gratia relief to the next of the kin of the deceased is also being released by the Administration.