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Ghoramara Island: Pilgrims' progress turned into a tragedy when around 119 people returning to Kakdwip after prayers at East Midnapore's Hijli Sharif were feared drowned near Ghoramara Island in the Bay of Bengal.
The overcrowded trawler, carrying 175-200 pilgrims, hit a sand bar near the island around noon on Saturday and capsized in the rough seas under the impact of waves that splashed it when a large ship sailed by. This is the second major boat tragedy in the state in two months. Around 20 people had died in a boat capsizal in the Sunderbans in September. Bodies of 15 women and three children were recovered from the trawler till late afternoon amid fears that the toll may go up. Fishermen rowed to the trawler and rescued 30 passengers who were admitted to Kakdwip hospital. Another 10 were rescued by locals.
Although Coast Guard and South 24-Parganas police teams did lend a hand, the entire rescue was essentially done by locals who were forced to suspend operations after dark as they lacked searchlights. Union minister C M Jatua and South 24-Parganas zilla sabhadhipati Shamima Sheikh are camping at Kakdwip from where rescue teams will sail out on Sunday. The state government woke up late. Disaster management teams were sent only after 3 pm from East Midnapore and Kolkata. TNN
The overcrowded trawler, carrying 175-200 pilgrims, hit a sand bar near the island around noon on Saturday and capsized in the rough seas under the impact of waves that splashed it when a large ship sailed by. This is the second major boat tragedy in the state in two months. Around 20 people had died in a boat capsizal in the Sunderbans in September. Bodies of 15 women and three children were recovered from the trawler till late afternoon amid fears that the toll may go up. Fishermen rowed to the trawler and rescued 30 passengers who were admitted to Kakdwip hospital. Another 10 were rescued by locals.
Although Coast Guard and South 24-Parganas police teams did lend a hand, the entire rescue was essentially done by locals who were forced to suspend operations after dark as they lacked searchlights. Union minister C M Jatua and South 24-Parganas zilla sabhadhipati Shamima Sheikh are camping at Kakdwip from where rescue teams will sail out on Sunday. The state government woke up late. Disaster management teams were sent only after 3 pm from East Midnapore and Kolkata. TNN
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