Ferry in India capsizes; 103 dead

GAUHATI, India – An official says 103 bodies have been fished out of a river after a packed ferryboat capsized in remote northeast India.

Pritam Saikia said at least 100 people are still missing after the boat carrying about 350 passengers broke into two pieces late Monday.

Divers and rescue workers with rubber rafts scoured the Brahmaputra River early today in the search for survivors amid the floating debris.

A passenger, Hasnat Ali, told local television that about 200 people were packed inside the boat along with cargo, and that he and around 150 others were riding on the roof when a storm hit as the ferry was heading to the shore to dock. The boat was tossed about and many of those on the roof were thrown off and managed to swim to shore before the ferry was dashed to pieces, he said.

Assam state police chief J.N. Choudhury said the accident occurred near Fakiragram, about 215 miles west of the state capital, Gauhati.