Assam: Boat carrying 45 people capsizes in Brahmaputra, 20 feared drowned

Guwahati, Sep 5: At least 20 people were drowned after a boat with about 45 passengers capsized in Brahmaputra river in North Guwahati on Wednesday. Two bodies have been recovered so far.

Police and SDRF teams have rushed to the spot. The rescue operation is underway.

According to Assam Tribune, at least 20 persons, including students, are feared drowned after the country-made engine boat capsized.

Only 22 passengers had valid tickets and the boat was overcrowded, with 18 motorcycles on it, Kamrup Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kumar Baishya, who was supervising the rescue operations at the site, was quoted by PTI as saying.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has ordered an enquiry into the incident. Additional Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah has been directed to investigate into the reasons responsible for the boat capsize and the factors triggering the mishap and submit a report at the earliest.