A tragedy struck five fishermen in Godavari River near Polavaram in Andhra Pradesh when a fishing trip ended in disaster and they died in an accident.
It sent shock waves through the local community and rescue operations and an official investigation into the tragic accident have been launched.
According to local authorities, the fishermen were going into the river early in the morning to catch fish when the accident happened. They lost balance and the boat either fell into the river or was swept away by strong currents and capsized, they said. They were thrown into the river’s deep waters in seconds, they said.
Residents in the vicinity of the incident and fishermen who could see the incident notified emergency services immediately. Emergency response teams (police, disaster response officials and experienced divers) rushed to the scene. All five fishermen were recovered from the river, but they could not be saved.
The victims were from nearby villages that relied on fishing as their main source of income, officials said. The victims' sudden deaths have devastated their families and villagers have since begun to come together to grieve. All possible assistance for the families is being provided and we are sorry.
The Godavari River is known for its unpredictable water currents in Polavaram. The fishermen are also advised to be cautious in the deeper parts of the river when the weather is bad or the water level changes due to upstream releases.
Tragic accident in Andhra Pradesh.
— Gummalla Lakshmana (@GUMMALLALAKSHM3) July 18, 2026
Five women from Gommukottagudem village went missing while fishing in the Godavari River at Gollagudem, near Etapaka mandal in the Chinturu agency.
Rescuers have recovered two bodies, and the search continues for the other three. pic.twitter.com/2rKIchYl4s
Police have filed a case and started an investigation to determine what was to blame. The boat was also being checked for safety equipment such as life jackets and the river conditions were bad, officials said.
District administration personnel also visited the accident site to assist with recovery and review safety measures. Safety guidelines for fishing and navigation inland have been reinforced by authorities, they said. Awareness campaigns on river safety will be expanded in vulnerable areas.
Drowning incidents continue to show how dangerous fishing communities in rivers are. Accurate safety measures (such as weather monitoring and frequent inspections of fishing boats) are necessary to prevent such tragedies.
The focus is on supporting the affected families and preventing future accidents. The tragic loss to the river fishing industry is just one more reason for better safety along India’s inland waterways.
