3 drown as boat carrying Bihar pilgrims capsizes in Ganga

Varanasi, Oct 3 (UNI) At least three people, including two women and a minor, drowned and four others injured, when a boat, carrying them, capsized in the Ganga river here today.

The accident took place, when a boat with 21 people, mostly women and children on board capsized near the Dumaria village on the eastern banks of the river, Additional District Magistrate (City) said.

While 14 of the 21 people, who had embarked the boat from Prahlad Ghat to participate in 'Jyootiya' festival swam to safety, seven others were rushed to the district hospital in critical condition.

Of these, three, including Shivani (2) and Savatariya (30) died during the course of treatment at the hospital, Mr Singh added.

All the 21 people on the boat hailed from Baheria village of Bhabhua district of Bihar.

Meanwhile, the boatman Sitaram is absconding.

UNI