Three drowned in boat mishap in Bhagalpur

Kahalgaon, Jun 26 (UNI) At least three persons drowned and six others were still missing when a small boat, ferrying 20 people, capsized midstream in river Ganga near Simaria village under Gopalpur police station in Bhagalpur district.

District Magistrate S K Mull said here today that the mishap occurred yesterday as the boat, being overloaded, became unbalanced.

He said the boat was ferrying the people from Diara area to Simaria village, adding that three bodies had been fished out while 11 swam to safety.

He said divers had been pressed into service to trace the missing persons.

Exgratia of Rs 10,000 was announced for the next of kin of the deceased.

UNI XC RS DPM/src1203