Rajahmundry: As the government turned a blind eye to give an official statement on the death toll, both the bereaved families and the media houses are struck with the question of the exact number of casualties in the unfortunate boat accident. Even the government representatives failed in giving clarity. While former MP Harsha Kumar alleged that 93 lost their lives, Agriculture Minister Kannababu took to media claiming that 77 people were in the boat, 51 were lost and 35 were rescued. The police investigation also is yet to determine the number and kept adding to the list with the victims approaching.
Based on the primary information from the bereaved families, police department and the committee with district officials has stated that 73 members lost their lives so far. But the GO issued by the government towards the magisterial investigation read the boat carried 61 passengers while the accident occurred. While Madhulatha, one of the survivors said there would be over 85 people on board. Though the owner of the boat disclosed that few of the crew were safely evacuated, even he didn’t have the exact number of people on the boat. The police might get some credible information from the crew who have supplied food for the passengers in the middle of the journey.
