Ten feared drowned in boat mishap in north Bihar

Begusarai, Oct 11 (UNI) At least ten people, including some women, were feared drowned when the boat they were travelling in, capsized mid-stream in the overflowing Balan river last night.

District Magistrate (DM) Sanjay Hans said here today that the accident occurred when the boat, ferrying 28 passengers from Tari ghat to the other side of the river, was caught in a strong river current and overturned before being capsized in the dark.

While 18 people managed to swim to safety, ten others went missing.

Later, two bodies of women was fished out from a nearby spot, the DM said, adding that a major rescue operation was launched to trace and rescue the remaining missing passengers.

A number of divers and country boats were pressed into service by the district administration in the rescue operations, the DM said.

He also assured adequate compensation for the next of kin of both the deceased.

UNI