Eight feared dead as passenger boat capsizes in Bihar's Ganga River

A passenger boat overturned in the Ganga River near Hajipur in Bihar's Vaishali district, leaving eight people feared dead and several others missing. The vessel was carrying approximately 20 passengers when the incident occurred, according to local authorities.

Rescue teams were deployed to the site to search for the missing persons and assist survivors. Initial reports indicated that some passengers managed to reach the riverbank, though the exact number of those rescued remained unclear at the time of reporting.

The cause of the capsizing was not immediately established. Investigations were expected to determine whether adverse weather conditions, overcrowding, or mechanical failure contributed to the incident.

Boat accidents remain a recurring hazard in Bihar and other states along the Ganga, often attributed to overloading, inadequate safety measures, and poor maintenance of vessels. Authorities have repeatedly urged operators to adhere to safety protocols and passenger capacity limits.