At least 13 killed after boat capsizes in eastern India

At least 13 people, most of them children, died after a boat capsized in India’s eastern state of Bihar, officials said late Tuesday.

The boat overturned in Vaishali district, where 13 bodies had been recovered, senior civil official Varsha Singh told reporters. Seven people were rescued, and rescue operations were continuing.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the administration had been directed to complete relief and rescue work quickly and ensure injured people received better treatment.

Tejashwi Yadav, a local legislator and Bihar opposition leader, said the children had been travelling by boat to attend a feast when the incident occurred.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the deaths as deeply painful. In a post on “X”, he said his thoughts were with the bereaved families, wished the injured a speedy recovery and said the local administration was helping those affected.