Over 130 Dead or Missing in Two Boat Accidents
Patna: Aug. 6, 2007
More than 130 people are believed to have perished when two boats in two separate incidents capsized in the Ganges on late Monday evening in Samastipur and Munger districts, officials in Patna confirmed.
Samastipur District Magistrate N. Shravan Kumar, while talking to media on Monday, said a boat carrying more than 130 people capsized under Shahpur Patori police station. While 32 people managed to swim to safety, others, including many school children, were feared dead, Kumar said.
Divers were able to pull out four bodies, three of them of women.
Rescue and recovery efforts were being hampered by poor lighting condition at the scene of tragedy, officials said.
An aggrieved Chief Minister expressed his sorrow over the accident and pledged to provide Rs. 1 lakh to the family of each victim. Nitish Kumar also took reports from Samastipur DM and announced his decision to meet with the victims' family members on Tuesday.
In another accident near Maniarchak Ghat in Munger district, a boat carrying 60 people turned upside down throwing all of its occupants into the raging flood water.
While 30 passengers were rescued, others were said to be missing and feared dead.
Rescue and recovery operations were underway at both places, officials said.
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