Six dead in twin boat disaster

Patna,Sept 01 (UNI) At least six people were feared drowned when two Army rescue boats overturned and capsized in the turbulent Kosi near Pratapganj in the flood affected Supoul district this evening.

Preliminary reports said the mishap occurred when two Army boats were returning to safer areas after rescuing a number of marooned people from the Madhubani village, suddenly caught in the high current of the mighty Kosi and overturned.

While most of the passengers swam to safety, six, including some children and women, were reportedly washed away in the swollen river.

Since none could be recovered so far, all those washed away were feared drowned,the sources said.

Incidentally this was the second major boat disaster in the flood affected north Bihar within a week. Last Friday 28 villagers drowned after another army rescue boat overturned and capsized in the Kosi in Madhepura district.

The incident took place when some more marooned villagers tried to get into the overcrowded boat.

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