Child missing in West Bengal boat mishap; 20 swam to safety

A child has been missing after a boat capsized in Bhairav River near Garibpur in West Bengal's Baharampur, according to an official.

Twenty passengers who drowned when the boat capsized on Thursday night swam to safety, the official said, adding that seven persons reported missing were among the 20 passengers saved.

"Twenty people swam ashore. Only a child is missing now. Our people are continuing with search operations since early morning," Murshidabad District Magistrate P Ulaganathan told PTI.

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Two motor-operated boats started off Thursday from Hariharpara to Vrindabanpur about 6.30 pm carrying 40 people in total, he said, adding that one of the boats capsized in the river.

When asked about the possible cause of the capsize, Ulaganathan said besides heavy rainfall, the river current could be the reason for the accident.

"Both boats were unauthorised. But it does not seem that overloading was the cause of the capsize," the official added.

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(With PTI inputs)