Indian ferry capsizes drowning more than 100 in Brahmaputra river

Divers and rescue workers pull bodies from remote reach of river in Assam state as search for survivors goes on
Ferry capsizes in India
The ferry sank on the Brahmaputra river, in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam. Photograph: Utpal Baruah/Reuters

Army divers and rescue workers have pulled 103 bodies out of a river after a packed ferry capsized in heavy winds and rain in a remote part of north-eastern India.

At least 100 people were still missing after the boat, carrying about 350 passengers, broke into two pieces late on Monday, said Pritam Saikia, the district magistrate of Goalpara district.

Deep-sea divers and soldiers worked through the night to pull bodies from the Brahmaputra river, in Assam state.

Heavy winds and rain after the accident hampered rescue operations, said Tarun Gogoi, Assam's chief minister.



Divers and rescue workers with rubber rafts were searching the river for survivors amid the floating debris, which was all that remained of the ferry.

India Assam ferry disaster
The Assam ferry disaster happened close to where the river enters Bangladesh

One passenger, Hasnat Ali, told local television about 200 people had been packed inside the boat, along with cargo, and that he and around 150 others had been riding on the roof when a storm hit as the ferry headed to the shore to dock. The boat was tossed about, and people on the roof were thrown off, though many of them managed to swim to shore before the ferry was dashed to pieces, he said.

Ali said he had managed to cling to a log and was rescued by local villagers.

The Assam state police chief, JN Choudhury, said passengers travelling on the top level had been saved.

Choudhury said the accident had occurred near Fakiragram village, in west Dhubri district, about 215 miles west of the state capital, Gauhati, and close to where the Brahmaputra enters Bangladesh. He said officials in that country had been contacted for help.

The area is dotted with riverside settlements and small islands, and boats are the most common mode of transport. Most ferries are overcrowded, and pay little heed to safety regulations.

Mohan Lal, a senior officer with the border security force, said 35 troops were at the accident site on boats, and were using handheld searchlights to look for passengers after daylight faded.



The Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, issued a statement expressing shock and grief at the loss of life.