Assam: Seven rescued, 22 missing after boat capsizes in Dhubri

Several people are missing after a boat ferrying government officials and school children capsized in Assam's Dhubri district on Thursday.

Dhubri:22 people are missing after a boat carrying 29 passengers capsized on the Brahmaputra river near the Indo-Bangladesh border in Assam's Dhubri district on Thursday. The incident took place when some government officials were returning from Aminer Char, a flood-affected area.

Those missing include Dhubri Development Circle CO (Circle Officer) Sanju Das, Dhubri Zila Parishad member Baby Begum as well as two school children. A total of seven persons have been rescued at the time of filing this report and have been sent to Dhubri Civil Hospital for treatment. Five of them are in critical condition. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced an inquiry into the mishap.

It has been learned that the boat the group was on collided with a submerged pillar of the Dhubri Phoolguri bridge, which is currently under construction, while on their way back. Subsequently, rescue operations were carried out by SDRF and locals. The boat has been located and cranes, as well as divers, are being used to fish it out, a district official said.