6 more bodies fished out, toll rises to 14

Varanasi, July 31 (UNI) With six more bodies being fished out from the Ganga river here today, the toll in the yesterday's boat mishap climbed to 14.

Six bodies that were fished out from Ganga today were identified as those of Urmila (30), Soni (12), Babli (8), Madhu (11), Mira (14) and Gurdayal (15), police said.

Eight bodies, including that of four women, three girls and a boy were fished out of the river yesterday.

At least 16 people were feared drowned after a boat capsized yesterday in the river near the Ramana Ghat under Lanka police station.

The boat was carrying 27 passengers, much in excess of its capacity, from Chota Mirzapur Ghat in neighbouring Mirzapur district to Ramana Ghat in Varanasi, when it capsized midstream.

The people in the boat were travelling from Kuraini village of Mirzapur district to attend Guru Purnima celebrations at Garhwa Ghat Ashram in Varanasi when the mishap occured. At least 11 passengers of the boat, including the boatman Sitaram Manjhi swam to safety.

The boatman, however, is still at large, police added.

Meanwhile, the district administration has sanctioned an immediate assistance of Rs 20,000 each to next of kin of those killed in the tragedy, official sources said.

UNI