ELURU / YELAMANCHILI, West Godavari — Three members of a family from Tanuku remain untraced after they reportedly jumped from the Chinchinada bridge into the Godavari River on Saturday, police said. Local fishermen rescued a 42-year-old woman who was taken unconscious to Eluru Government Hospital for treatment.
Rescue and ongoing search
According to a Yelamanchili police officer, the incident occurred at the bridge over the Godavari near Yelamanchili mandal. The woman was found by fishermen but her 45-year-old husband, their 16-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter were swept away by the river's strong currents.
“Local fishermen, who noticed the family members jumping into the river, rescued the 42-year-old woman, but her 45-year-old husband, 16-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter were washed away in the swirling waters of the river,” the officer said.
Police said search and rescue teams have launched operations in the Godavari to locate the missing three. Details on the scale of the deployment — boats, divers or support from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) — were not specified by officials at the time of reporting.
Family background and possible motive
Initial enquiries indicated the family hailed from Tanuku town. The couple ran a grocery shop and a milk business, while their children were students — the son reportedly in the first year of a polytechnic course and the daughter in Class 9 at a private school.
Police told reporters that locals said the family had been incurring heavy business losses. Investigating officers said mounting debts and pressure from creditors appeared to be factors that may have precipitated the incident, though formal confirmation awaited statements from the rescued woman once she regains consciousness.
What authorities have said and next steps
The Yelamanchili police have recorded an initial statement and are continuing enquiries. The officer said further details would emerge when the rescued woman is able to speak about the events leading up to the plunge.
- Location: Chinchinada bridge over the Godavari, near Yelamanchili mandal, West Godavari district.
- Rescued: 42-year-old woman, taken to Eluru Government Hospital unconscious.
- Missing: 45-year-old husband, 16-year-old son, 12-year-old daughter.
- Origin: Family from Tanuku town; ran grocery and milk businesses.
Humanitarian and public-safety implications
The case underscores local concerns about the social and economic pressures on small traders and the chain effects on families. While police cited alleged financial stress and creditor pressure reported by locals, investigators must corroborate these claims through medical evaluation of the rescued woman and documentary evidence such as business records and creditor communications.
River-search operations in the Godavari can be hazardous and time-sensitive, particularly when strong currents and depth complicate efforts. Timely mobilisation of trained divers and equipment — including sonar and boats — increases the chances of locating missing persons, officials in other such incidents have said, though no official statement on equipment used here was available at the time of reporting.
Hospital status
The rescued woman was taken to Eluru Government Hospital. Hospital authorities had not issued a detailed bulletin on her condition beyond police confirmation that she arrived unconscious. The police officer said they would provide further information once she regains consciousness and is able to give a statement.
| Person | Age | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Woman (mother) | 42 | Rescued; admitted to Eluru Government Hospital |
| Husband | 45 | Missing; washed away |
| Son | 16 | Missing; washed away |
| Daughter | 12 | Missing; washed away |
Investigators have appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have information about the family’s recent circumstances to come forward. Police said they will verify the reported financial difficulties and communicate developments as the probe continues.
This story is developing; further updates are expected once the rescued woman regains consciousness and investigators gather more evidence from local enquiries and the ongoing river search.
