Probe launched into speedboat capsizing off Odisha, India

Authorities in India have begun an investigation into a speedboat capsizing incident that occurred off Puri district in the eastern state of Odisha on Saturday, May 24.

The probe was launched after authorities determined that the boat's operator had allowed the vessel to sail with passengers on Saturday despite reported rough sea conditions in the area at the time.

The boat was overcome by large waves and capsized just off Puri, though the captain and all four passengers were later safely rescued by responding lifeguards.

One passenger later told reporters that when she asked the operator whether riding the boat was safe despite the rough seas, the latter told her that, "nothing would happen."

The investigation will also determine whether the capsizing could have been avoided if the boat had carried more passengers instead of just four.

The boat was certified to carry a maximum of 10 passengers and was therefore not overloaded. However, one passenger recounted that the operator had wanted, "to make more money," and thus insisted that their smaller group of four book the entire boat.

Embarking additional passengers would have made the boat more stable and thus more capable of withstanding rough waves, local newspaper The Telegraph quoted officials as saying.