At least three women drowned while four others were hospitalised after a boat capsized at Maldepur Ganga Ghat in Ballia city on Monday morning, police said. About 35 people were going across the river in the boat for a ritual when its engine developed a snag and it overturned due to strong winds, District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar said, as quoted by the news agency PTI.
"3 women died after a boat they were travelling in got disbalanced and capsized due to engine failure and heavy wind, in Ballia. Rescue operations were started immediately. All the passengers have been pulled out. 4 women are undergoing treatment at the hospital. Rescue operations will continue till we make sure that there is no one trapped under the boat," Ravindra Kumar, DM, Ballia told news agency ANI.
A large number of people had gathered for the ritual at Maldepur Ganga Ghat when the accident took place this morning, the DM said, as reported by PTI. The District Magistrate has confirmed the death of three women and said three other women were admitted to the district hospital. Rescue operation is underway and the boatman is absconding, he added. According to the initial reports by ABP News, at least four people died and the boat was reportedly carrying 40 people.