Guwahati: Over 150 people, including children and women, survived separate boat accidents in western Assam’s Dhubri and Bongaigaon districts since last night as all on board the ill-fated boats managed to swim to safety or were timely rescued.
Over 100 passengers of a motorized country boat survived with only minor injuries when their boat capsized mid-stream in Gauranga river in Dhubri district on Saturday.
District superintendent of police P K Saloi said the boat was on way from Hatipota no.2 to Bilasipara town when the accident occurred at about 0950 hours.
The passengers included mostly students, who use the boat service to attend classes in Bilasipara town.
The boat hit a shallow region in the river and turned turtle, throwing all on board into the water.
While most people swam to safety, locals and police mounted prompt rescue operations.
About 40 people received minor injuries, while there were no casualties, Mr Saloi added.
In another accident last evening, a boat carrying about 35-40 people capsized in Champavati river in Bongaigaon district.
The boat was ferrying from Chapar in Dhunri to Oudubi in Bongaigaon when it hit sand and capsized a few metres away from shore.
All passengers were rescued by police and NDRF personnel, with the help of locals.
At least 40 people were killed in a boat accident in Medertari in Dhubri district on April 30, raising questions on safety of water-transport means in the state which form an important mode of communication across the state. (UNI)