Boat sinks in Ganga, eight feared drowned in Katihar

Katihar: Eight persons were feared drowned while 20 others swam to safety when an overcrowded boat capsized in Ganga river in Manihari area in the district, police said.

20 people swam to safety while eight others were missing. Local divers and an NDRF team were pressed into service to search for those missing, Manihari Circle Officer Chandra Kumar said.

The incident occurred near Singal Tola yesterday as the boat carrying people returning home from work in the fields, was overloaded, he said.

Baldeo Mandal and Satish Paswan, who were among those who swam to safety, said six missing people hailed from Naya Tola Baghmara while two belonged to Mandal Tola.

The injured were being treated at Manihari primary health centre, the official said.