Uttar Pradesh: At least 22 drown as boat capsizes in Baghpat; CM announces Rs 2 lakh relief

Rescuers search in the Yamuna River as villagers gather after a country boat, seen in foreground, capsized near Baghpat town in Uttar Pradesh state. Source: AP Photo

A boat carrying 60 people capsized in the Yamuna river in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, killing at least 22 of its passengers, District Magistrate Bhawani Singh told news agency PTI. The incident happened in the early hours of Thursday. The boat sank close to Katha village, 20 km from the district headquarters.

Rescuers search in the Yamuna River as villagers gather after a country boat capsized near Baghpat town in Uttar Pradesh state, India, Thursday, Sept.14, 2017. A boat crowded with construction workers capsized in the Yamuna River in northern India early Thursday and more than a dozen people have drowned, officials said. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Police and rescue teams have reached the spot. Police and PAC personnel have fished out 22 bodies so far, while 10 others have been rescued. A search is on to trace others.

“The boat was ferrying passengers more than its capacity.”The boat was ferrying passengers more than its capacity. Most of the passengers of the ill-fated boat were women. Assoon as the boat reached mid-stream it capsized,” the district magistrate said.

Villagers watch as rescuers search in the Yamuna River after a country boat capsized near Baghpat town in Uttar Pradesh state, India, Thursday, Sept.14, 2017. A boat crowded with construction workers capsized early Thursday killing more than a dozen. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased.

Rescuers search in the Yamuna River after a country boat, capsized near Baghpat town in Uttar Pradesh state, India, Thursday, Sept.14, 2017. The boat crowded with construction workers capsized in the river early Thursday. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

The chief minister also directed the district magistrate to immediately provide succour to the affected people, Principal Secretary (Information) Awanish Awasthi said.   He said a probe has been ordered into the incident.