Patna, September 14: Ten schoolchildren were feared drowned when their boat capsized in the Bagmati river in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district on Thursday. According to the district administration, while 20 students o a government school managed to swim to safety, ten others went missing in the incident, which took place around 11 a.m. A rescue operation has been launched in the area with the help of NDRF, SDRF personnel besides local swimmers to trace the missing children. Bihar Boat Capsize Videos: Boat Carrying School Children Capsizes in Bagmati River In Muzaffarpur, 10 Kids Missing

The students were onboard the boat which overturned in the middle of the river at Madhurpatti Ghat under Beniput outpost in the district. In a bid to earn money, the boatmen allow passengers beyond its capacity, the local police alleged, adding that the boat was overcrowded leading to the mishap. Expressing his concern on the incident,  Chief Minister Nitish Kumar ordered an inquiry into the incident and directed the district magistrate and SSP of Muzaffarpur to provide adequate help to the family members of the missing children. Uttar Pradesh Boat Capsize: Four Dead As Boat Capsizes in River Ganga in Ballia, Mismanagement by Officials Blamed (Watch Video)

Boat Capsizes in Bihar's Bagmati River

As soon as the news about the boat tragedy at the Madhurpatti Ghat spread, a large number of villagers assembled at the place.  Some of the family members blamed the education department for making 75 per cent attendance mandatory in schools. They claimed that the infrastructure was not enough in the region to reach school safely. Students risk their lives to reach school to secure over 75 per cent attendance in the school.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 14, 2023 03:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).