Boat capsize; 8 feared drowned

Parkash said the accident occurred at around 1530 hrs when the boat was caught in a whirlpool and capsized. While 18 people including three boatmen swam ashore, rest of the passengers were drowned.

He said authorities at Harike Pattan barrage had been alerted to search for the bodies. The authorities in Ferozpur and Amritsar had also been alerted. Search and rescue operations here had been affected because of a fast river current.

The depth of water at the accident spot was estimated between ten and 13 metres. When asked whether a sudden release of water into the river by Bakhra Beas management boardauthorities had caused the accident, Parkash replied in the negative.