Kota: A boat carrying seven people capsized in the Kotdi canal during a Durga idol immersion in Rajasthan's Kota on Tuesday evening, leaving four young men missing. Two bodies were recovered on Wednesday morning and a search is on for the other two.
The accident took place near the Steel Bridge under the Borekheda police station limits at around 5.30 pm on Tuesday. Assistant Superintendent of Police (Kota City) Subhash Chandra Mishra said seven people were on the boat.
The search resumed at 5.30 am on Wednesday. The bodies of Suraj Singh (22) and Vikas Verma (22), both Kota residents, were recovered about 100 metres from the accident site and sent for post-mortem.
The two still missing, Rahul Joshi (18) and Ashu Joshi (19), are cousins and residents of Sanjay Nagar. Teams of the SDRF and NDRF are searching for them, with the operation extending up to Ummedganj. Six rescue boats are deployed.
Of the seven on board, three swam to safety and were pulled out by passersby. They have been identified as Deepak, Maankanwar and boatman Suresh. The search was called off at 11.30 pm on Tuesday in line with standard operating procedure.
Water had been released into the canal on Tuesday, making the current strong. The administration had earmarked 10 to 12 spots on the Chambal ghats and canals for immersion, but the accident happened in a stretch where immersion was completely banned. Six rescue boats are deployed and the search is continuing up to Ummedganj.
Immersion was prohibited in the stretch where the accident happened, officials said. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and state Education Minister Madan Dilawar visited the spot.