Search on to trace missing pilgrims in Orissa

Bhubaneswar, Nov 3 : A search continued for the second day Tuesday to trace five pilgrims who went missing after a boat capsized in Mahanadi river of Orissa Monday, police said.

The boat capsized at Mancheswar ghat while ferrying pilgrims to Dhabaleswar temple in Cuttack district, about 25 km from state capital Bhubaneswar.

More than 20 people were rescued Monday. The district administration has deployed Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) personnel for the rescue operation.

"Search operation is still on to trace the missing people. We have deployed divers to trace those missing. The search operation in the evening was hit due to darkness. We have again started the operation early (Tuesday) morning," Superintendent of Police (Cuttack rural) Rajatkanti Mishra said.

There was a heavy rush of pilgrims at the Dhabaleswar temple Monday on the occasion of Kartika Purnima (full moon).