Katihar: At least three persons drowned while more than 20 others went missing after a boat carrying close to 80 people capsized in the Mahananda river in Katihar district in Bihar.
The incident took place on Bihar-Bengal border at about 8:15pm on Thursday night close to Jagannathpur Ghat. The residents of Wajidpur village here were returning after shopping in Rampur Haat market of the adjoining state, situated right across the river.
“Prima facie, it appears to be a case of overloading. The boat had a capacity of 40 passengers but was carrying almost double the number. So far three unidentified bodies of an elderly man, a woman and a child have been recovered,” Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Barsoi, Pankaj Kumar said.
"Many of those riding the boat either swam to safety or were rescued by onlookers. About two dozen people are yet to be traced ... professional divers have been deployed for the purpose," the DSP added.
(With inputs from PTI)
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