22 drowned, many missing as a boat capsized in Yamuna, Rs 2 lakh relief announced by Yogi Adityanath
Baghpat sources have reported that at least 22
people drowned and many others were missing after an overloaded boat capsized
in the Yamuna River here yesterday. Sources have stated that the boat was
carrying 60 people. The District Magistrate Bhawani Singh said that the boat
sank close to Katha village, 20 km from the district headquarters.
He said police and PAC personnel have fished out 22 bodies so far while 10
others have been rescued and a search was on to trace others. The District
Magistrate said "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".
Meanwhile Additional Magistrate of Baghpat district, Dharam Pal Singh added that "The incident happened early morning. It was a privately hired boat and was carrying some 50-55 people". Witnesses stated that he was angry that an overcrowded boat was allowed to ply, residents protested on the streets in Baghpat, accusing the administration of not providing help to the victims quickly enough. Protesters blocked a highway and set a few vehicles on fire.
