Boat capsize toll increases to 17

Varanasi, Aug 1 (UNI) With three more bodies being fished out from the Ganga river here, the toll in the July 30, boat accident increased to 17.

The bodies fished out from the river near Ramnagar last night were identified as of Neha (6), Priti (8) and Sanjana (13), police said here today.

With the recovery of these bodies, the district administration also revised the total number of feared drowned to 18, with one more body still to be fished out.

At least 11 passengers including the boatman Sitaram Manjhi swam to safety during the boat accident in the Ganga river near the Ramana Ghat under Lanka police station on July 30 last.

The overcrowded boat was carrying passengers from Chota Mirzapur Ghat of neighbouring Mirzapur district to Garhwha Ghat Ashram in Varanasi for Guru Purnima celebrations.

UNI