India: 11 Hindu worshipers killed when boat capsizes

6 people rescued after boat overturns when carrying idol of Ganesha for immersion in water, say authorities

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) - At least 11 people died early Friday after the boat they were in capsized during a religious ritual in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

The incident took place at around 4.30 a.m. local time (2300GMT Thursday) when a boat carrying around 20 people immersing an idol of the Hindu god Ganesha capsized in a lake in Bhopal, remembered as the site of a 1984 industrial disaster.

Six people have been rescued. A search operation is underway.

Minister of State PC Sharma told Anadolu Agency: “11 people died in the incident. The people who drowned were taking a huge Ganesha idol and during immersion, the boat they were sitting in tilted and then capsized.”

“We have already ordered an inquiry into the incident,” he said.

The ritual represents the birth cycle of the Lord Ganesha.

The state government has announced compensation of 4,00,000 rupees ($5,600) to the survivors of the deceased.

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