Many people were feared drowned when a country boat capsized in river Krishna in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday afternoon.

Giving details of the tragic incident, Mahbubnagar District Superintendent of Police K Srinivas Reddy told rediff.com: "Today around 3 pm, about 65 to 70 persons from several villages on the banks of river Krishna in Kurnool district set out in a country boat for Mahbubnagar district to attend the annual jatra (temple festival) near Kollapur. Unfortunately, about 300 metres from the banks on the Kurnool side of the river, the boat capsized due to overloading."

"Three people swam to safety and reached Mahbubnagar while another 16 were rescued and taken to Kurnool. The remaining persons are feared drowned. Rescue operations are on to trace these persons," he added.

According to unofficial reports, 10 bodies have been recovered so far, even as divers and villagers are engaged in search and rescue operations under the supervision of revenue and police officials.

On receipt of information, Home Minister K Jana Reddy reviewed the incident and Commercial Taxes Minister Konathala Ramakrishna rushed to Kurnool and Labour Minister G Vinod rushed to Mahbubnagar district to oversee the rescue and relief operations.