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West Bengal: Death toll rises to 20 in Burdwan boat tragedy
One more body was fished out on Tuesday, taking the death toll to 20 in last week’s boat capsize in West Bengal’s Burdwan district, an official said.
One more body was fished out on Tuesday, taking the death toll to 20 in last week’s boat capsize in West Bengal’s Burdwan district, an official said.
An overcrowded boat sank last Saturday night near the Kalna Ghat in Burdwan while it on its way to Shantipur in Nadia district.
Till Monday, 19 bodies were retrieved.
“So far 20 bodies have been recovered, they include six children,” said Saumitra Mohan, district magistrate of Burdwan. He added that search operations were underway.
The state government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the victims.
On Sunday, an angry mob that was upset over alleged delay in rescue operations, set boats on fire and pelted stones at police -- injuring two -- in Nrisinghapur Ghat jetty, Shantipur
Police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob. Several people have been arrested or detained for the clashes. The administration has denied any delay in the search and rescue operation.
