Boat capsizes in Gujarat; 4 women feared drowned

Four women were feared drowned in the Narmada river after their overcrowded boat capsized in Narmada river in Lilod village near Nareshwar in Vadodara, police said today.

The incident took place last night when nine women were returning home to Nani Vasna village in neighbouring Bharuch district from Nareshwar, they said.

The group of women were on their way back after preparing food at a wedding function in Lilod.

Hansa Macchi, one of the women, who is feared to be killed in the mishap, had offered to ferry them to other side of the river.

Hansa being the daughter of a fisherman, tried to row the boat in absence of the boatman when it overturned while the group was crossing the river, police said.

Hearing the cries of women who fell into the river, several fishermen rushed to the spot and rescued five women, police said.

Search operations are on for four other missing women identified as Hansa Machhi, her 20-year-old daughter Nina, Naniben Suresh Machhi and Somiben Machhi, they said.

Local swimmers and fire brigade jawans have been pressed into service to trace them, police added.