27 die after boats capsize in India

PATNA, India — Two boats capsized in flooded rivers in eastern India’s Bihar state during a major Hindu festival, killing at least 27 people and leaving around 24 missing, police said Tuesday.

At least 20 people swam to shore from one boat that was overcrowded with people returning to their homes after participating in festivities during the Dussehra festival, he said. Rescuers found 19 bodies, 13 of them children.

The boat capsized in the Kosi river near Alauti, a village nearly 125 miles (200 kilometers) north of Patna, the Bihar state capital, Neelmani said. Rescuers were searching for 23 people reported missing.

Hours later, another boat went down in a river in Darbhanga district in the state with 17 people on board, he said.

Police recovered eight bodies and rescued eight people near Kuseshwar Sthan, a village nearly 90 miles (140 kilometers) north of Patna, Neelmani said.

Those on board were returning to their village after immersing an idol of a Hindu goddess in the midstream as part of the religious festivities.

One person was reported missing and divers were searching for him, he said.

Boat accidents are common in India, where many vessels are unsafe and overloaded. Monsoon rains flood rivers in India between June and September every year.