8 killed, 20 injured as boat capsizes in Arabian sea

Jamnagar, Oct 14 (UNI) At least eight people were killed and 20 others injured, five seriously, when a boat carrying around 40 passengers capsized near a jetty at Piroton Island in Arabian sea today.

Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) officials said the incident occurred at around 1130 hrs when a group of Muslims, who left from Bedi Port here for a Dargah in Piroton Island, 22 nautic miles from here, were returning back.

They said the passengers were jumping from the jetty onto the boat which was anchored there when it lost balance and capsized since they were getting in only from one side, officials said. Though the water was shallow, the passengers were trapped under the boat, they said.

They were rushed to Guru Gobinsingh Hospital here, where seven people, including three children and three women, were declared dead, while one more succumbed to injuries later. Out of the 20 injured, condition of five victims is stated to be serious. Others have been relieved after first aid, officials said.

The deceased have been identified as Husaina Anwar (35), Kulsum Hasan (30), Amina Habib (45), Amir Jafar (6), Abbas Salim (3), Salim Haji (5) and Husain Salim (20). Body of the eighth victim has not been identified yet.

According to Captain S Chaddha, the Port Officer, all victims belonged to fishermen community. The search operations were over, officials said.

UNI XR/PVN/HT RN AKJ NS1921