Buffalo brings catastrophe for boat passengers in Bihar

Hajipur, Aug 31 (UNI) It was not the strong water current that caused the tragic boat capsize in the Ganga river today, in which 32 people died, but a restless buffalo.

A survivor, Jageshwar Rai of Jafrabad village told UNI that besides the 60 passengers, a buffalo was also being ferried in the boat.

The bovine got restless midstream and started jumping which unbalanced the boat resulting in the tragedy, Rai said.

Ferrying of cattles like buffaloes, cows and goats in river are common in the state.

Thirty-two people met a watery grave in the boat capsize in the Ganga near Jafrabad Ghat in Vaishali district today.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to next of kin of the deceased.

Divers had been engaged to retrieve the bodies.

UNI XC-RS JYN YA VC1955