22 people drowned as boat capsizes in India

International Desk: At least 22 people drowned after their over-loaded boat capsized in Yamuna river in Baghpat district of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, the police said.

The boat carrying 60 people capsized and 22 persons drowned, District Magistrate Bhawani Singh said.

After the incident, the villagers resort to violence on Delhi-Saharanpur highway.

The boat sank close to Katha village, 20 km from the district headquarters.

"The boat was ferrying passengers more than its capacity. Most of the passengers of the ill-fated boat were women. As soon as the boat reached mid-stream it capsized," the district magistrate said.

Rescue teams, including a team of NDRF, have reached the spot, a senior police officer said.

About 12 people have been rescued.

The overcrowded boat was headed for Haryana when the incident occurred.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident.


In a tweet, he issued instructions that the kin of the deceased be given Rs 2 lakh as relief from the chief minister's relief fund.

The chief minister also directed the district magistrate to immediately provide succour to the affected people, Principal Secretary (Information) Awanish Awasthi said.

The cause behind the incident was not known immediately.

Source: Agencies




risingbd/Sept 14, 2017/Mukul