Boat capsizes in Vietnam river, 20 feared drowned

HANOI, Oct 24 (Reuters) A boat carrying traders with their chickens and pigs capsized in a river in northern Vietnam today with at least 20 passengers feared drowned, officials said.

An official in Phu Tho province about 80 km northwest of Vietnam's capital Hanoi said at least eight bodies had been found and 12 people were missing.

It was unclear how many passengers were on the boat and police said they were investigating the cause of the accident.

''We are still searching for the missing people but there is little hope that anyone is still alive,'' said a police officer in Thanh Thuy district, Phu Tho province.

REUTERS BDP KP2000