Boat ferrying 100 people capsised midstream in Ganges

Samastipur, Aug 6 (UNI) At least 87 people were missing after a motorboat ferrying over 100 people capsized midstream in the Ganges in Bihar this evening.

Sub-divisional officer Shashank Shekhar said two bodies had so far been fished out, while eleven swam to safety.

The ill-fated boat was ferrying the people from Runibhuia Ghat to Parsawa Diara on the other side of the river.

The SDO, who has been camping at the spot, said when the overcrowded boat reached midstream it got caught in a strong current and overturned.

The fate of the remaining passengers was still unknown, while efforts were being made to trace them. Several local boatmen had been pressed into the rescue operation with fishing nets.

However,the rescue operation was too difficult because of the high current and darkness, the SDO said.

Meanwhile, one of the survivors Rita Devi said six of her relatives, who were also on the boat, were missing.

A separate report from Motihari in East Champaran district of North Bihar said at least six women and children of the same village were feared drowned after the boat carrying 13 people sank in the flood waters of the rainfed Burhi-Gandak river overturned at Pande Tola under Kesaria block of the district this evening, official sources quoting Deputy Superintendent of Police B P Rajak said.

Seven passengers swam to safety.

The sources said another child also swept away by the swirling flood waters at the Nayatola area on the same district near his house today.

UNI