AP boat tragedy: 43 bodies fished out of Krishna river

Upto 43 bodies of the 64 pilgrims feared drowned in Thursday's boat capsize tragedy in Mahabubnagar district have been fished out of Krishna river since Saturday evening.

While 42 bodies, including of 15 women and 16 children - eight girls and eight boys - were retrived on Sunday, one was fished out Saturday evening, Kollapur Circle Inspector Santosh Kishore told PTI.

"Besides the operation, announcements were also made in the villages along the river bank that informants of floating dead bodies would be paid Rs 500 along with travelling expenses," a revenue official said.

After identification by the families, the bodies are being buried on the river banks by officials.

A boat carrying 80 persons -- nearly twice its capacity -- capsized in Krishna river on January 18 near Manchalkatta in which 64 persons went missing while 16 persons swam to safety.

A team of 11 Navy divers are helping local fishermen trace the bodies, police said.