At least one person died and 20 people went missing after a boat with over 120 people on board sank in the Brahmaputra river after colliding with a ferry steamer near Nimati Ghat in Jorhat district of Assam on Wednesday, officials said.
The accident occurred when the private boat 'Ma Kamala' was headed to Majuli from Nimati Ghat and ferry 'Tripkai', operated by the state's Inland Water Transport (IWT) Department, was coming from the riverine island.
"A woman died in hospital after she was rescued from the river," Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) Chief Executive Officer Gyanendra Tripathi said. Three senior officials of IWT Department were suspended on the charge of negligence of duty in connection with the accident, an official statement said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he has directed the district administration of Majuli and Jorhat districts to undertake rescue mission expeditiously with the help of NDRF and SDRF teams.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Assam Chief Minister and took an update on rescue operations and on the condition of those rescued.
"The Home Minister said the Central government is ready to lend all possible help," Sarma tweeted.
Adarniya HM Sri @AmitShah had kindly called to enquire about the accident in Nimati Ghat and took an update on the rescue operations and conditions of those rescued so far. He said the Central Government is ready to lend all possible help. Grateful to him.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 8, 2021
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said all possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers.
"Saddened by the boat accident in Assam. All possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being," he tweeted.
Saddened by the boat accident in Assam. All possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2021
(With inputs from Agencies)
(Edited by : Aditi Gautam)
First Published: IST