more-in The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) on Sunday morning despatched a diving team to augment the search and rescue operations in the Godavari river where a country boat ferrying about 30 people including school students capsized on Saturday evening near Pasuvula Lanka in East Godavari district. Expert diving team, along with the needed equipment and support system, was airlifted by a Dornier aircraft of the Navy from INS Dega to Rajamahendravaram airport. The team reached the site and operation is on, a communiqué released by the Navy said, adding that the second diving team was also despatched by another Dornier aircraft later in the day. Apart from the diving team, the ENC has also sent a UH3H Sea King Helicopter that will be based at Rajamahendravaram airport and assist the diving team in the search and rescue operations. ‘Safety is priority’ Meanwhile, HRD Minister Ganta Srinivas Rao, at a programme in the city, described the accident as a tragic one and promised that credible measures would be initiated to prevent such mishap in the future. “As the syllabus is yet to be completed, the schools were told to organise extra classes. But, it’s sad that some students on board the ill-fated boat lost lives. The Godavari is in spate due to heavy rains. We are checking on the safety aspects,” he added.

Stay updated with all the Latest Visakhapatnam headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.