A tragic accident occurred during the immersion of Durga idol in Kota, Rajasthan on Tuesday evening. A boat carrying seven people suddenly capsized in Kotri canal. After the accident, three people managed to swim out safely, while four people went missing. As soon as information about the incident was received, police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other rescue teams reached the spot and started searching for the missing people.
According to the information, the accident happened near the steel bridge in Udyog Nagar police station area of Kota. The people in the boat had reached the canal for the immersion of the Durga idol. During this time the boat lost its balance and overturned in the water. Three people saved their lives by swimming, but four people could not get out due to the strong current and deep water.
SDRF and divers teams gathered
After the incident, the district administration started a large-scale rescue operation. Municipal Corporation divers, police and civil defense team members along with SDRF personnel are busy searching for the missing people. District Collector Piyush Samaria and City Superintendent of Police Tejaswini Gautam also reached the spot and supervised the relief and rescue operations.
Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar also reached the spot. He directed the administration to deploy necessary resources and teams to search for the missing people. To ease the rescue operation, action was also taken to temporarily stop the flow of water in the canal.
The matter of immersion in a restricted place came to light
According to the administration, idol immersion was not allowed at the place where the accident occurred. Officials said rescue boats, divers and other security arrangements were deployed at the designated places for immersion. Despite this, people reportedly reached the restricted area for immersion.
The administration has appealed to the people to immerse the idols only at designated and safe places, so that such accidents can be avoided.
At present, the search for four missing people is going on. The priority of the administration is to find them as soon as possible. The causes of the accident and aspects related to violation of safety rules are also being investigated.