Two women drown as overcrowded boat carrying devotees capsizes in Godavari river in Maharashtra
PTC News Desk: Two women lost their lives and another woman remains in critical condition after an overcrowded boat carrying devotees capsized in the Godavari River in Maharashtra's Beed district on Wednesday, officials said. The incident took place around 11 am in Majalgaon tehsil.
The boat was ferrying devotees to Purushottampuri Temple, a shrine dedicated to Lord Purushottam located about 20 km from Majalgaon. Devotees commonly use boats to cross the river and reach the temple.
The temple has been attracting a large number of pilgrims from across Maharashtra and other parts of the country during the ongoing holy month of Adhik Maas.
According to police, the boat, carrying around 30 to 40 passengers, overturned in the middle of the river. One of the deceased was identified as Pranila Sheshrao Rathod, a resident of Lonar in Buldhana district. The body of another female devotee, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, was also recovered.
A third devotee, identified as Sindhubai Arjun Mavale from Mahagaon in Washim district, was rescued unconscious and taken to a private hospital in Majalgaon. Doctors said her condition remains critical.
Officials said thousands of devotees had gathered on Wednesday morning to take a holy dip in the Godavari River and visit the temple on the opposite bank. Preliminary reports suggest that some local boat operators may have ignored safety regulations and overloaded boats to accommodate the heavy rush of pilgrims. Authorities are investigating the incident.
- With inputs from agencies
