8 pilgrims drown in Ganga

Buxar, Apr 14 (UNI) At least eight pilgrims, including five children, met their watery grave in the sacred river Ganga today when the boat ferrying them capsized midstream near Yamunaghat under the town police station area of Buxar district.

As a rescue operation is on to trace out seven people who were found missing, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced an ex gratia payment of Rs one lakh to next of kin of each victim in the boat tragedy.

District Superintendent of Police Paresh Saxena said altogether 25 pilgrims were sailing back to Ramrekhaghat in Buxar after offering puja at Mangla Bhawani temple situated on the north bank of Ganga on the occasion of Baisakhi.

Of the 25 persons on board, ten swam to safety while eight bodies had been fished out, he added.

The five bodies of the children, which were recovered, included a girl child.

UNI