NEW DELHI, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least six people, including four children, are feared killed after a boat carrying them capsized on Tuesday in the Brahmaputra River in India's northeastern state of Assam, police said Wednesday.
The boat carrying 22 people capsized in Rohampur area of Barpeta district, about 101 km west of Dispur, the capital city of Assam.
"Yesterday, a machine-operated country-made boat capsized in the Brahmaputra river, following which six people -- two women and four children -- are reported missing," a police official said. "Although immediately rescue efforts were initiated, so far there is no trace of the missing. "
According to officials, those who survived either swam ashore or were rescued by fishermen and locals.
The boat was travelling from Rohampur to Borghul and reportedly, none of the passengers was wearing a life jacket.
The search operation to trace the missing continued until late Tuesday night, and on Wednesday morning rescuers from India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) joined the efforts.
"Apart from NDRF, we have rescuers from State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police and local fishermen involved in the search operation that is currently underway," a local government official said, adding that "Chances of their survival seem to be bleak."
Boat capsizing incidents are common in India as many people, especially in rural areas, use traditionally made boats as a mode of transport. ■
