Bihar: 24 people feared drowned in boat disaster

Supoul, Sep 9: At least 24 people, including several women and children, were feared drowned when a boat capsized in the flood waters of the swollen Kosi in this north Bihar district.

Reports reaching the district headquarters here on Tuesday, Sep 9 said the countrymade boat, carrying about 30-35 people from Chatapur village to a relief camp at Pariyahi, about 20 km from here, capsized in the flood water of the Kosi at around 2200 hrs on Monday, Sep 8.

At least 24 people, including several women and children, were feared dead in the mishap.

Quoting eyewitnesses, the sources said only about eight people could swim to safety.

All the other passengers went missing and were feared drowned in the swirling flood water.

However, no official confirmation on the toll was received so far, as all the communication networks with Chatpur and Pariyashi remained cut off for the last two weeks, following the unprecedented floods.

This was the third major boat disaster in the flood-affected north Bihar during the past two weeks, which claimed about 48 lives.

UNI