At least 13 dead in India boat tragedy

A boat capsized in India's eastern state of Bihar, drowning 13 people, most of them children, police said, while six aboard were rescued. The boat overturned on Tuesday in the state's central district of Vaishali, while carrying passengers to a feast in a neighbouring village, district magistrate Varsha Singh told media. Police are investigating the cause of the incident, regional police officer Subodh Kumar told Reuters on Wednesday, giving the tally of those rescued. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief at the tragedy. "The loss of lives in the boat capsizing incident in Vaishali, Bihar, is deeply painful," Modi said in a statement on Wednesday, announcing compensation for their families. "My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this difficult time." Rescue operations continue. (Reuters/AFP) Edited by Cecil Wong

2026-10-14 11:19:00