Guwahati: At least seven people, including five children, were missing after an overloaded country boat capsized in Brahmaputra river in Assam’s Barpeta district on Tuesday.
Among passengers on the boat, which was operating between Rahampur and Barhola Chenga, were several members of Raham Ali’s family who were returning from a wedding.
Overcrowding and strong winds caused the boat to capsize, authorities said.
As people on the riverbank saw a crowded boat sinking suddenly, some of the eyewitnesses rushed to rescue the people aboard the vessel.
Local police, NDRF and SDRF rescue teams later arrived at the spot to launch a rescue and search operation for missing people.
Locals alleged that the boat was not equipped with life jackets.