Bettiah, Bihar: Three persons, including two children, were killed and 42 others feared drowned when an overcrowded boat sank in the River Gandak in Bihar's West Champaran district on Friday.
The Principal Secretary of State Disaster Management Department said in Patna that the boat, which was carrying more than 65 passengers, capsized near Ghoria Ghat in West Champaran district while sailing to Bhagwanpur from Ranha village.
Three bodies have so far been fished out, but several others were feared drowned.
According to eyewitnesses, around 20-25 passengers swam to safety while the other drowned. Vyasiji said he has asked the West Champaran District Magistrate to approach his East Champaran counterpart for requisitioning the services of more than 25 trained divers.
Search and rescue operations are on. The state government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs one lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased.
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