2 dead, 23 missing after boat capsizes in Brahmaputra

Sep 5 (AZINS) Two drowned and 23 are still missing after a motorised country boat, carrying about 40 passengers, capsized in the Brahmaputra river near Guwahati on Wednesday.

According to ANI report, two people have died in the Brahmaputra boat capsize incident and 11 have been rescued so far.

Rescue operations are underway with two teams - one of police and the other SDRF teams at the spot.

Twelve people swam to safety, and State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and NDRF personnel have recovered one body so far, Kamrup Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kumar Baishya had told PTI earlier, adding that rescue operations were underway.

The incident occurred when the engine of the boat developed a snag and hit a rock near the bank of the Ashwaklanta Temple around 2 pm, he said.

Only 22 passengers had valid tickets and the boat was overcrowded, with 18 motorcycles on it, Baishya, who was supervising the rescue operations at the site, said.

According to eyewitnesses, there were several women and children among the passengers.