Fifteen missing in West Bengal boat capsize

KOLKATA - Around 15 people, including women and children, were missing after a boat carrying a picnic party capsized in Rupnarayan river in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district Sunday.

“As per a rough estimate, 15 people travelling on the boat are still untraced. A majority of them are children,” East Midnapore district Superintendent of Police Bastab Baidya told IANS.

“Some of those who had fallen into the river have been rescued,” he said but could not give the exact figure of those who had boarded the boat or had swum to safety.

The picnickers from Ultadanga in the northern part of the city were having a joyride on the boat when it capsized.

According to East Midnapore district police sources, the Coast Guard and the disaster management team of Kolkata Police have been requested to launch rescue operation in the river.

“Kolkata Police’s disaster management team has already started heading for the destination. A team of Coast Guard will also arrive at the spot shortly (by Sunday night),” a district police officer said, adding another team from Coast Guard will come to carry out the rescue operation Monday morning.

We are now carrying out search operation with our exiting speed boats and launches. But it’s really difficult for us to find out the victims as it is already dark now, he said.

The state police control room also could not provide details about the exact number of people in the boat.

“We have to depend on eye witnesses. Some say there were 30 people on the boat, some say there were 38,” an officer manning the control room said.

Eyewitnesses said rescue work was hampered in the absence of divers as the state river traffic policemen could not contact those on their payroll.

Local residents alleged that no steps were taken to help the victims after the over-laden boat capsized in the river.

“We have made some arrangement for the picnickers at our club house and also deployed a few local youths in the search operation. We are trying to provide all kinds of help to the victims’ families,” an eyewitness said.

“The rescue operation will continue for the whole night,” a police officer said.