GUWAHATI: Several people are feared drowned as a ferry boat carrying about 100 passengers and some vehicles capsized after colliding with another boat in Brahmaputra river in Assam on Wednesday.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have launched rescue operation.
According to GD Tripathy, CEO of Assam State Disaster Management Authority, about 30 persons have managed to swim to the bank. Search and rescue operations are on for other missing persons for last one half hours.
The drowned boat was travelling from Jorhat’s Neematighat to Majuli river island, when it collided with another headed in the opposite direction.
The accident occurred at about 4.30pm, officials said. As per the initial reports, one body has been recovered so far.
Union minister of shipping, ports and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has expressed deep anguish and concern over the ferry accident in Majuli.
He spoke to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma over phone and took stock of ongoing rescue and relief operations.
Moreover, officials of the ministry have been directed to provide all necessary support to help the affected people.
Sonowal represented Majuli constituency as an MLA from 2016 to 2021 before he moved to Union cabinet.
Watch Assam: Boat carrying 100 passengers capsizes in Brahmaputra river after collision