103 drown in Assam boat capsize

[SajeevJino]

---

---

Dhubri:

In one of the worst boat tragedies in Assam, 103 people, including women and children, drowned and over 100 went missing when a packed steamer carrying over 300 passengers sank in the Brahmaputra river after being caught in a severe storm midstream in this district on Monday.

National Disaster Relief Force head Alok Jha said the bodies of 103 victims, including women and children, were recovered by the BSF and the NDRF personnel near Jaleswar.

Deputy Commissioner Kumud Chandra Kalita said about 25 people swam to safety after the double-decked ferry with over 300 people onboard was crossing the river from Dhubrighat when it capsized in the storm at 4.20 pm.

The bodies of the victims were kept at the Dhubri civil hospital, he said, adding the fate of the remaining passengers was not immediately known.

The steamer had left Dhubri ferry ghat for Medartary in south bank of the district in the evening and capsized because of the impact of the storm.

The army, BSF's water wing, National Disaster Force and police armed with mechanised boats have launched a massive rescue operation in the river but darkness, bad weather and strong current hampered search for possible survivors or the dead.

President Pratibha Patil expressed grief over the loss of life while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured the state government of all help for relief and fund for families of the deceased.

Singh spoke to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to convey his condolences. Gogoi has ordered an inquiry and asked the district administration to look after the survivors.

In another boat capsize, 12 people were missing when a boat sank in the same river at Jaleswar, officials said.

The district administration has issued a red alert in view of the storm.

"The storm has resulted in the tragedies and we are taking all measures," Kalita said.

Assam tragedy: 2 boats capsize, 103 feared dead - India News - IBNLive

[Nick 779]

Very sad event and RIP to those killed in the tragedy. It is a disaster waiting to happen as overloaded and antiquated ply in these waters. Also there is a type of syndication as the owners prevent others from plying modern boats and they even prevent the Govt. owned Inland Water Transport ferries from plying.

[SajeevJino]

Committee to inquire into Assam ferry tragedy formed

GUWAHATI:

The Assam government has constituted a one man inquiry committee to look into the ferry accident in Dhubri district.

The inquiry will be conducted by Additional Chief Secretary of Assam Jitesh Khosla, who has been asked to submit his report within 30 days, an official statement said.

The committee will ascertain facts and circumstances leading to the mishap and related issues like the condition of the ferry and whether any overloading took place.

It will also determine if there was any lapse on the part of any authority, including violation of rules or licence condition for operation of ferry service.

The Khosla committee will suggest measures to be taken to prevent such recurrences in future including development of a strong early warning system.

Further, it will assess the capability of existing agencies including NDRF to respond and handle a disaster of this magnitude particularly on the Brahmaputra river which has very swift current.

The committee will also enquire into other matters relevant to the incident, including measures to improve the ferry transport system in riverine areas.

[tunguska]

RIP to the dead persons.