Security sources confirmed the recovery of 103 bodies after a crowded steamer capsized in the middle of the Brahmaputra river in western Assam’s Dhubri district on Mon-day. Around 50 people were still missing, they said.
Among the drowned were a number of women and children. Four columns of the Army and the water wing of the BSF were carrying out rescue operations. Though an NDRF team had also rushed to the area, they had not been able to reach the site as yet.
Earlier, Western Assam DIG Surender Kumar told this newspaper additional enforcement and rescue teams of the BSF and Assam police had been rushed to the spot. “We are yet to ascertain the death toll. Initial reports suggest that more than 400 people were on the boat which capsized near Madartari Ghat,” he said.
Security sources said the boat capsized almost in the middle of the river because of heavy wind and rain. The Army and BSF have also been called in.
Security sources said some passengers managed to swim to shore and inform the police.
Dhubri district SP P.C. Haloi, supervising rescue operations along with his Goalpara district counterpart, said, “The steamer was travelling with about 400 people on board when it capsized mid-river in the Brahmaputra following a storm.”