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At least 19 dead as boat capsizes in River Ganga in Patna

At least 17 persons were feared drowned and 20 others went missing on Saturday after an overloaded boat carrying around 40 people capsized in the river Ganga in Patna.

IMAGE: A rescue boat searching for people in Ganga river in Patna. Photographs: PTI Photo

Separate teams of NDRF and SDRF have reached the site of boat mishap and have begun rescue operations.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered a high-level probe into the mishap.

The CM also ordered payment of ex gratia to the next kin of deceased persons at the earliest. As per the state government’s guidelines, an amount of Rs 4 lakh is paid as ex gratia to the kin of persons killed in any kind of disaster within the state.

IMAGE: Injured passengers is being treated at Patna Medical College and Hospital

According to reports, the accident took place when the boat was about to reach the river bank.

The boat was returning from a kite festival on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

Meanwhile, the state police have launched a search operation for the missing people.

The number of deceased persons is likely to increase.

Source: Rediff