Over 22 drown; many others were missing as boat capsizes in Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow, September 14: At least 22 passengers on a boat carrying 60 people were drowned and killed in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh as the boat capsized in Yamuna river. This incident happened in the early hours of the morning. Police and rescue teams are at the spot. While 10 people have been rescued, search is on to trace others.

The boat was carrying 60 people, District Magistrate Bhawani Singh said. Police and PAC personnel have fished out 22 bodies so far while 10 others have been rescued, he said. A search was on to trace others.

"The boat was ferrying passengers more than its capacity. Most of the passengers of the ill-fated boat were women. As soon as the boat reached mid-stream it capsized," the district magistrate said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased. CM Yogi also directed the district magistrate to immediately provide succour to the affected people, Principal Secretary (Information) Awanish Awasthi said.

He said a probe has been ordered into the incident. The victims, mostly labourers, were travelling from Katha village in Bhagpat district to Sonipat, Haryana.