MALDA: At least seven people died and more than 50 were missing after a boat capsized in the
Mahananda river
at Chanchal in Malda district of West Bengal on Thursday evening. The seven who died have not been identified as yet.
The incident took place when most of the villagers on the ill-fated boat were returning home after watching a boat race that is organised on the occasion of Panchami every year at Mukundapur Ghat under Itahar police station.
The area being close to Chanchal of Malda and Madhughat of Bihar, many people had gone there to watch the event. After the competition was over, villagers were returning home in boats. One such boat carrying more than 70 people coming to Jagannathpur Ghat of Mahanandapur gram panchayat of Chanchal capsized in the middle of the river around 6.30pm.
The water level was much higher than normal due to floods. Local panchayat pradhan Aktarul Islam claimed that the boat was carrying much more than its capacity. Iqbal, the MLA from Chanchal, said: "So far, seven bodies have been recovered. More than 50 people are missing."
A huge police force along with officials of the disaster management team were at the spot.
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