Daijiworld Media Network - Amaravati
Amaravati, Oct 16: Five women drowned in the Gollapalli reservoir near Penukonda in Andhra Pradesh’s Sri Sathya Sai district on Friday, police said.
According to police, Gayatri (50), a resident of Durgapet, had gone to visit the reservoir along with her daughter Ashwini and neighbours Pushpa, Haseena and Maheen when the group accidentally drowned.
Local residents and fishermen later recovered their bodies from the water.
Ashwini had recently married and was living in Mumbai with her husband. She had visited her parents during the Dasara holidays.
Penukonda Deputy Superintendent of Police Siva Prasad said police had launched an investigation into the incident. The bodies were being shifted for post-mortem examinations.
Officials said the women had slipped and fallen into the water while visiting the reservoir. All five victims were residents of Durgapet in Penukonda mandal.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the deaths and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. He also sought details of the incident from officials.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan expressed grief over the tragedy and directed the District Collector to investigate the circumstances leading to the accident.
Describing the loss of five lives during an outing as deeply distressing, he conveyed his condolences to the families and assured them that the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government would stand by them.
Pawan Kalyan also directed the concerned officials to review safety arrangements at tourist destinations and ensure the availability of lifeguards at reservoirs and other deep-water areas.
Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed shock over the deaths.
He said it was extremely painful that the women, who had gone on an outing with their family members, had lost their lives in such a tragic manner.
Reddy conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength for them to endure the loss. He urged the state government to extend all possible support and provide adequate financial assistance to the families of the deceased.