Capsized Ferry in India Leaves 100 Dead; Weather Hampers Rescue
Officials have reported that as many as 100 people were feared dead after a ferry carrying 300 passengers capsized in north-eastern India.
Reuters reported that around 100 passengers had been rescued or made it to safety, although more than a hundred were dead, and many were still missing. The incident happened earlier Monday in the remote district of Dhubri, where heavy winds and rain are likely to have played a part in the tragedy.
Many of those still alive swam to safety on their own, Asian news agency Xinhua reported, but the search was suspended on Monday evening because of darkness and bad weather.
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"I could see people being swept away as the river current was very strong," Rahul Karmakar, a witness, shared with AFP news agency.
"Army, Border Security Force and other rescue teams with mechanized boats have moved to the site but nightfall and bad weather are hampering rescue efforts," added Assam state Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
The closest major city in Assam state, Guwahati, is about 215 miles away, and is near the border with Bangladesh. The region is marked by many small islands and rivers.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed that he is "shocked and grieved" by the accident, as ferries are a major mode of transportation for citizens in the area. According to the BBC, many of these boats, however, have minimal safety features and are unsafe and overcrowded.
Singh has also instructed that all possible assistance be given to the government of Assam in relief operations as authorities are doing everything they can to find and rescue the missing people.
According to Mohan Lal, a senior officer with the Border Security Force, 35 troops were searching for survivors on boats, using hand-held searchlights, although a team of federal rescue workers was also on its way.
The ferry was found upturned and broken into pieces, but workers were unable to lift the pieces without a crane.
