Death toll in Buxar boat tragedy rises to 36

PATNA - At least fourteen more bodies were fished out from the river Ganga on Monday taking the death toll to 36 into the boat tragedy that took place in Bihar’s Buxar District.

“A National Disaster Response Force team and local divers fished out 14 more bodies from the river early Monday morning. 23 women and 9 men have been identified. Over 25 people are still missing after an overcrowded country-boat sank in river Ganga in Buxar district,” said Director General of Police (DGP) Neelmani.

An intensive search operation is on in the area with the help of local divers and NDRF personnel, who are making all attempts to locate the remaining six missing persons feared to have drowned.

It has been reported that around 42 people were sailing in the boat from adjoining Uttar Pradesh’s Balia District to Dalupur in Bihar when it got caught in a whirlpool and capsized near Brahmapur police station area in Buxar.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident and directed the State Disaster Management authorities to intensify the rescue operation.

An ex gratia payment of Rs one lakh has also been announced by the State Government to the kin of each of the deceased. (ANI)