Bihar boat capsize toll rises to 21

Patna, Sep 11 (IANS) With 10 more bodies, mostly of children and women, recovered Tuesday, the toll in a boat capsize in Bihar's Bhojpur district has risen to 21, police said.

Earlier, 11 people, mostly children and women, drowned and over 25 people were missing after an overcrowded boat capsized in the Sone river early Monday, police said.

Police said divers recovered the bodies after hours of search operations. "At least 15 people are still missing and rescue operations are on," police said.

The boat could seat only 14 but was carrying over 40 people.

At least half-a-dozen people swam to safety. Some were rescued by local villagers, Bhojpur Superintendent of Police S.R. Nayak said.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced ex-gratia of Rs.2 lakh to the kin of the deceased.