Asia-Pacific

At least 10 drown, 50 missing in boat capsizing in India

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-14 15:21

NEW DELHI - At least 10 people drowned Monday and 50 others went missing when a boat capsized in the Ganges river in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh's Ballia district, according to local wire services.

The incident occurred when around 60 people belonging to several nearby villages were crossing the river from Ujwalia ghat (bank) to attend a function on the other side, reported the Press Trust of India quoting District Magistrate Senthil Pandayan C. as saying.

So far 10 bodies have been fished out from the river and efforts are being made to trace the other missing people, said the report.

Officials said earlier the death toll from the incident could rise as rescue operation was still going on in the river some 300 km from the state capital Lucknow.