27 dead as boats capsize in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar
Morena
(Madhya Pradesh)/Purnea (Bihar): At least 27 people, including
a small child have drowned in Madhya Pradesh's Morena District
and Bihar's Purnea District after their overloaded boats capsized
in the Chambal and Kosi rivers over the weekend. In the first
incident in Morena. eyewitnesses said at least 30 villagers
were crossing the river to visit a local fair at a temple
on Sunday when their boat capsized. Many devotees were rescued
by those sitting on the banks, while co-passengers helped
others. Police said at least four passengers swam to safety.
"Few people were travelling towards a temple when their boat
capsized. Few people sitting on the banks have saved a few
people. Thirteen people are confirmed dead and 14 people have
been rescued so far," said Ram Bhadauria, a police official.
"We do not have any report of any missing person as far. No
unidentified body is here with us. People have identified
the bodies of their relatives," said Amit Rathore, collector
of Morena. District authorities said they have called for
more rescue teams from the state capital Bhopal to take out
all the bodies.
In
the second incident in Purnea, Bihar, 14 people, including
11 women and two kids, lost their lives. Sixteen persons are
still missing, local police officials said. The tragedy occurred
near Kasba area when the victims were going to attend a fair,
said Sudhanshu Kumar, the Superintendent of Police. Police
has recovered 14 dead bodies from the river so far. The search
for the other sixteen passengers is on. Massive nets have
been cast and divers pressed into service to fish out those
missing, said Kumar. Meanwhile, five of the passengers that
include three women have been rescued and admitted into hospital.
The incident triggered a small clash of agitated villagers
with the police over absence of doctors from the Hospital
where the five rescued passengers were admitted. Three are
reported to be in a serious condition. Police had to do "lathicharge"
or , caning to control the stone- pelting crowd which blocked
the national highway 57, said the Superintendent of Police.
He described the situation as "tense" but under control.
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