Five tribal villagers, including three women, tragically drowned in the Godavari River while fishing in Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram district on Saturday.

The incident occurred near Gollagudem village, where the group ventured into the river early morning to catch fish, expecting a good catch due to increased floodwater inflow.

The victims—Uke Sushila, Uke Lakshmi, Turram Bharati, Bhasuboyina Balaraju, and Uke Ramesh—were using hand-held nets when they entered a deep, swirling section of the river.The police officer stated that the strong currents made it impossible for them to escape, leading to the accident.Rescue teams, including the fire department and local residents, searched the river and recovered all five bodies by afternoon.The victims’ bodies were sent for post-mortem exams, and a case of accidental death was registered.

The incident highlights the dangers of river fishing, especially during high water levels, and underscores the need for safety measures in such activities.