Boat carrying over 200 people capsizes in Assam, at least 20 missing

Guwahati: About 20 people were missing after a boat carrying about 200 people capsized in a river in Assam`s Kamrup district on Monday.

Locals said the boat, going from Hatikhola to Gomi over the Kalahi river, developed a snag at Sampupara near Chaigaon and overturned after hitting some object.

They said many passengers jumped out and swam across to the river bank but many are suspected to have been trapped in the boat.

The district administration launched rescue operation with the help of National Disaster Rescue Force and State Disaster Rescue Force personnel.

At least 20 people were missing till filing of the report.

"The boat was travelling against the stream. While most of the passengers swam across, locals said about 20 are still missing. We hope that they are safe," said Kamrup Deputy Commissioner Vinod Seshan.

He said the district administration is yet to receive any formal information on the missing persons.

The accident came as a reminder to the 2012 boat tragedy in the state`s Dhubri district where over 40 people, including women and children, were drowned.