The incident occurred when a boat carrying about 115 passengers on board capsized in the reservoir.

[2][3][4] The accident occurred near the Pitapali area[further explanation needed] inside the reservoir at around 4:30 PM when a large group of picnickers were returning in an overcrowded motor boat.

[5] As per eyewitnesses, the motorboat became snagged, water overflowed the gunwale, and it capsized.

It was later noted the boat did not have basic safety measures.

[6] Firefighters and units of the ODRAF were deployed for rescue operations.