Assam boat tragedy: Several still missing, search operations on

Guwahati: Hours after a machine boat carrying 80 people capsized in the Brahmaputra river in Assam’s Majuli district, search operations are still on to trace the missing persons.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is scheduled to visit the incident site today, said that the ill-fated boat was located around 1.5 kilometers from the spot. The boat has to be cut open to reach under it to find out the survivors, if any.

He also informed that it is difficult to ascertain how many people were on board. According to him, 42 people have been rescued so far, four people have been reportedly missing. A woman, identified as Parimita Das, died in a hospital after she was rescued from the river. Parimita, 28, who hailed from Guwahati, was teacher in a college in Majuli.

Meanwhile, the government has ordered a departmental inquiry into the incident and has suspended three Inland Water Transport department officials.

The collision occurred when the private boat ‘Ma Kamala’ was headed to Majuli from Nimati Ghat and the government-owned ferry ‘Tripkai’ was coming from Majuli. The boat was also carrying several four-wheelers and two-wheelers that went down the river.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured all possible help to the Assam government in rescue operations.

"Saddened by the boat accident in Assam. All possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being," PM had tweeted.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi offered condolences to the families of the victims. In a Facebook post, he said, "The news of the capsizing of a ferry boat in Assam is tragic. As we await further details, I extend condolences to the family of the victims. Let’s hope the rescue operation manages to save lives in the next few hours. I appeal to local Congress teams to help in every way possible.” (UNI)