Three dead, four missing after boat capsized in Ganga River

At least three people drowned and four others remain missing after a boat capsized in the Ganga River early Thursday morning. The incident occurred near Sultanpur Diyara in the Mohiuddin Nagar area of Samastipur district, officials confirmed.

The small boat was carrying 14 residents from the Malahi Tola and Masumganj Bind Toli areas under Barh police station limits in Patna district. Authorities said the group had crossed the river from Umanath Ghat to Sultanpur Diyara, a routine trip they made to harvest pointed gourds, known as parwal, and perform other farm work. The vessel overturned during the return journey.

Seven passengers were rescued safely from the water. The bodies of three individuals have been recovered and identified as Neelam Kumari, 30, Shravan Mahto, 36, and his son Kashi Kumar, 15. Search operations are ongoing for the four missing persons. The rescued individuals were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, with some reported to be in an unconscious state upon recovery.

According to officials, strong winds caused the boat to capsize midstream. Preliminary findings also suggest overloading may have been a contributing factor, though a detailed investigation...