One dead, two missing, 87 rescued in India ferry collision

Indian authorities on Thursday stepped up rescue operations to look for survivors in Wednesday's ferry tragedy in the Brahmaputra river in the northeastern state of Assam.

The Indian Army has been called out to help in the rescue operations. So far, 87 people have been rescued, but one person has died and two others are still missing, officials said.

The accident occurred on Wednesday evening when a single-motor passenger boat, carrying 90 people, collided with a government ferry in the Brahmaputra near Nimati Ghat in Jorhat district, 350km from Assam's capital Guwahati, and capsized.

"Over 200 people were onboard both the boats. While those on the government ferry had a narrow escape, the single-motor boat with 90 people on board capsized after the collision," a disaster management official told the media.

"Some 87 people have been rescued so far. One woman has died while two others are still missing. The Indian Army is looking for survivors," he added.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to say that "all possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers".

"Saddened by the boat accident in Assam. All possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being," the PM tweeted.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, meanwhile, directed officials to act against all single-motor boats that often carry passengers beyond their seating capacity. "I am pained at the tragic boat accident near Nimati Ghat, Jorhat."

A probe has been ordered into the accident, the disaster management official said.