30 missing after boat capsizes in Assam river

At least 30 people went missing after <g data-gr-id="18">a overcrowded</g> mechanised boat with 200 people on board capsized in the river <g data-gr-id="17">Kolohi</g> in Assam’s Kamrup (Rural) district on Monday, a senior district official said.

The engine of the boat, which was going from Koraibeel to <g data-gr-id="19">Gumifailed</g>, stopped working midstream of the river and hit against the pillar of a bridge causing it to flip, said Kamrup (rural) DC Vinod Kumar Seshan.

As the boat capsized, the passengers, who were travelling to witness a boat race nearby, fell into the river, which was in spate. While most of the passengers swam to safety, at least 30 are still missing, Seshan said.

A rescue operation was immediately started by local residents. Soon, personnel of the  NDRF and SDRF joined the rescue operation, the police said. As night fell, the search operation was stopped to be resumed on Tuesday morning, the police said. 

Recently, the state witnessed the worst-ever flood in recent times in September. Over 16 <g data-gr-id="21">lakh</g> people were hit and over 50 died <g data-gr-id="20">in in</g> the second wave of floods this year.