Boat tragedy: Death toll reaches 23, 3 missing

Handwara (North Kashmir), May 31: With the recovery of six more bodies today, the toll in yesterday's boat capsize in Kashmir has reached 23, official sources said.

They said three children were still missing.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who visited Handwara today announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 20,000 each to the next of the kin of the deceased from Chief Minister's Relief Fund, besides free ration for six months for each family.

A Defence Ministry spokesman said Navy personnel were still searching the lake.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Handwara, Haseeb Mughal told UNI that five more bodies were recovered from the Wullar lake this morning and search was continuing.

Another body was recovered by Navy divers later.

Mr Mughal said the exact number of missing students and teachers was not immediately known as conflicting reports were pouring in.

The SP said about 78 students in the age group of seven to 14 years and staff of Burning Candle Public School, Handwara, were on an excursion trip to Wullar yesterday.

As soon as the boat, carrying about 30 to 40 of them, reached the middle of the lake, it capsized. Navy divers and civlians immediately jumped into the lake and could save about 20 of them.

The rescue operation was called off because of darkness and resumed only this morning.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has expressed grief and sorrow over the death of the school children.

UNI