Missing pilgrims found safe after their boat went missing in the Bay of Bengal off India

[News_Editor]

Missing pilgrims found safe after their boat went missing in the Bay of Bengal off India

2010-10-07 13:10:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

BHADRAK DISTRICT, INDIA (BNO NEWS) -- More than 40 pilgrims were found safe after the motorized boat they were on went missing in the Bay of Bengal near India, local media reported on Thursday.

The group, who are residents of Nuagaon village in the Indian state of Orissa, had left in a small motorized boat to visit nearby temples on Tuesday. They were last seen about 10 kilometers (6 miles) offshore at around 5 p.m. local time on Tuesday as they were returning.

NDTV Television reported that the boat they were on had a maximum capacity of approximately 20 to 25 people. However, at least 42 people had gone on the boat, including 10 women and 8 children.

High tide in the sea and bad weather conditions were hampering the search operation, which included a helicopter and boats from the Indian Navy and the Orissa Coast Guard.

CNN-IBN later reported that the boat had been found and said all 42 people on board were safe. It provided no other details.

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