At Least 12 Passengers Dead in Indian Ferry Sinking

At least 12 people died and 21 others went missing after the passenger vessel carrying them down a river in eastern India sank, local police confirmed on Monday.

The shipwreck occurred Sunday afternoon on the Mahanadila River [pictured above]. There were more than 100 passengers onboard at the time of the capsizing – likely caused by overcrowding.

About 90 people have been rescued up to now. Rescue teams worked through the night to recover the bodies of the people who were missing.

Navigation accidents are frequent around India, not only at sea but in rivers and lagoons due to the fragile state of the vessels and the fact that far more passengers are often crowded onboard than the permitted number.