Nov. 12 (UPI) — At least 16 people were killed and seven more are missing after an overloaded boat capsized on a river in India, police said.
A total of 38 passengers and three crew members were on-board the vessel, which was operated by a private company and traveling along the Krishna river near Vijayawada on Sunday.
“The boat was overloaded with 38 people and most of them were not provided life jackets. It capsized near a curve as it approached the Pavitra Sangamam point and most of the people were trapped underneath and were killed,” an assistant commissioner of police said.
Local fishermen rushed into the water and managed to save 15 passengers and another three were rescued by members of the National Disaster Response Force.
The boat exceeded its maximum carrying capacity of 24.
Deputy chief minister N Chinna Rajappa said authorities are in the process of identifying the victims and investigating the incident as rescue crews search for the missing passengers.
“According to preliminary investigation, the private agency which was operating the boat did not have a license from the tourism department,” he added.
