22 drown as boat capsizes in northern India

By Shuriah Niazi

New Delhi (AA) - At least 22 people were killed on Thursday in northern India when a boat carrying 50 people capsized, local media reported.

“The boat was carrying more passengers than its capacity,” District Magistrate, Bhavani Singh told daily Hindustan Times.

“Most passengers of the ill-fated boat were women. As soon as the boat reached mid-stream it capsized,” he added.

The incident took place in the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh state, some 30 miles from capital New Delhi.

The boat was carrying construction workers, who were going from Katha village to Sonipat in Haryana state in search of work, a local official said, who refused to be named as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

He added that 19 bodies had been recovered from the river while 16 people had been admitted to various hospitals. Many are still missing.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a relief of 200,000 rupees ($3,225) to victims of the deceased.

He has also ordered a probe into the incident.