28 drown as boat capsizes in Yamuna in UP

Baghpat, Sept 14: At least 28 people, mostly labourers, drowned after their boat capsized in Yamuna river in this district of Uttar Pradesh today. District Magistrate Bhawani Singh told UNI here that 20 bodies have been recovered so far and divers are searching for eight to nine more bodies. Mr Singh said the boat, carrying around 60 labourers from Baghpat to Haryana, was overloaded and it capsized on the UP-Haryana border. Around 15 people were rescued too by the local people while among the deceased several are women. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the death of the people in the tragedy. He has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2-lakh each to the families of the deceased. The Chief Minister has also directed district officials to provide all assistance to the victims' families. Inspector General of Police (Meerut Zone) Ram Kumar, along with other officials are camping on the spot. The incident occurred near Katha village under Kotwali Police Station area of the district. Most of the victims are native of Katha and its nearby village. UNI