Pulwama: Two labourers went missing while seven others were rescued after a boat capsized in a river in Pulwama district of south Kashmir on Wednesday, officials said.
A boat carrying nine people capsized in river Jhelum in the Hatiwara area of Awantipora in the south Kashmir district, the officials said.
A rescue operation has been launched by State Disaster Response Force teams, police and locals to rescue the two missing persons, they added.
Joint Teams of SDRF/ Police/ civil administration and paramilitary/ forces were immediately pressed into action as soon as the incident occurred, said another official.
It’s said that labourers were working in fields at Hatiwara and while coming back, instead of taking the route via Kakapora bridge, they choose to take the shortcut and fated boat met with accident. Seven people were safely rescued and are stable. However search for two remaining persons continues during night, the official said.
Deputy commissioner Pulwama Dr. Basharat Qayoom along with SSP Awantipora were seen at site during night monitoring the search rescue operation.
He said that despite adverse conditions viz huge discharge in river and high flow, all teams are trying their best to trace the remaining two persons. The rescue operations will continue as far as feasible given discharge and flow velocity.
He reiterated the recent advisories issued by administration and urged people to avoid risky water travel and strictly adhere to safety measures.
Last month, a boat capsized in the river at Gandbal area of the city here, killing seven persons, while two others went missing.
