Assam | 35 dead, 75 feared missing in boat accident

Guwahati: At least 35 people were drowned and many more were missing when a boat carrying 250 people capsized in the Brahmaputra river in Assam's Dhubri district on Monday. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed condolence and ordered all possible assistance in relief operations. Reports said that three army columns including two medicals teams are involved in the rescue operation.

According to reports, it was one of the worst ferry disasters in Assam. The ferry broke into 2 parts. A clear picture will emerge only on Tuesday morning.

Deputy Commissioner Kumud Chandra Kalita said the boat was crossing the river from the Dhubrighat when it overturned. He said the boat was carrying nearly 250 people. While 35 people drowned, 25 passengers swam to safety. Senior district officials rushed to the spot and rescue operations have been launched.

Kalita said the boat was caught in a severe storm at 4.20 pm. The bodies of the 35 victims, which included several women and children, were recovered and sent for postmortem, he said.

Assam state police chief JN Choudhury says the details were sketchy because bad weather and the remoteness of the area hampered communication.

He says the accident occurred late on Monday on the Brahmaputra river near Fakiragram in west Dhubri district. The area is about 350 kilometers west of the state capital, Guwahati.

Choudhury says strong winds and rain likely caused the accident. Police and paramilitary soldiers have been sent to help with rescue efforts.

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