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Guwahati: At least
68 people died and over 150 were still missing after a ferry, with
over 250 people on board, capsized in heavy storm in Brahmaputra
river in Assam's Dhubri district Monday evening, officials said.
Sources in the district administration confirmed that 68 bodies
have been fished out till 9.30 p.m. The Border Security Force (BSF)
and National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) could rescue about 35
people from the river till that time.
Some of the passengers of the ill-fated ferry also reached the
river bank by swimming and with the help of local people, the
sources informed.
Local people said the incident took place in the evening hours
when the ferry, on its way to Madattari under Fakirganj police
station from Dhubri town, was caught up in a heavy storm.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a Rajya Sabha MP from the state,
has expressed his shock about the loss of lives in the boat
tragedy and conveyed his deepest condolences to the near and dear
ones of those who lost their lives, said an official release.
He has also instructed officials for all possible assistance to
the state government in relief operations and also for assistance
from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to the families of
the deceased.
The prime minister spoke to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to convey
his condolences and express solidarity with the people of Assam.
Meanwhile, an official communique issued from chief minister's
office said that Gogoi has directed the chief secretary and
principal secretary, revenue and disaster management department to
expedite the rescue and relief operations.
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