Bhubaneswar, November 5: A major tragedy was narrowly avoided on the occasion of Kartik Purnima when a passenger boat, carrying more than 30 people, including eight children, capsized in the Mahanadi River near Kandarpur village in Cuttack district on Wednesday.

The boat was en route from Kandarpur to Amangeikuda Island, a popular pilgrimage spot for devotees during the Kartik Purnima celebrations, when it sank unexpectedly near a ghat close to Kandarpur. The cause of the incident remains unknown at this time.

As the boat sank, passengers were thrown into the river. Several individuals were able to swim to safety, while others were rescued by residents who rushed to the scene. Fortunately, all passengers were rescued without any fatalities or significant injuries.

Local police and administrative officials arrived promptly at the site, and an initial investigation is underway. Authorities are looking into whether the boat was overloaded or lacked the necessary safety measures, which may have contributed to the accident.

The incident has raised serious concerns about passenger safety and the regulation of ferry services, particularly during the Kartik Purnima period when thousands of people travel by boat to riverine temples across the state.