HYDERABAD: Ten personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) went missing after two boats capsized during a rescue operation to save stranded fishermen at Bethupalli Lake in Telangana’s Khammam district on Wednesday evening.
The incident occurred in Sathupalli mandal when SDRF personnel ventured into the lake in two boats to rescue a group of fishermen who were stranded in the water. However, both boats capsized during the operation, leaving 10 rescue personnel missing.
Senior officials, including Khammam District Collector Divakar T.S., rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident. A search and rescue operation was immediately launched to trace the missing personnel.
Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy shared details of the incident in a post on social media platform X. He said rescue teams had identified a possible location where the missing SDRF personnel could be found.
Efforts were being made to locate the personnel and bring them safely back to the shore, the minister said.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of the rescue teams involved in the operation. Search efforts are underway to trace all 10 missing personnel.
