13 feared drowned in Ganga

At least 13 people, including women, are feared drowned as a boat carrying them capsized in the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnore district, about 450 km from here on Friday.

According to police sources, the overcrowded boat was overturned by strong currents midway through the swollen river around noon.

While 17 people, including six women, managed to swim to safety, 13 others were reported missing. One body has been flushed out, the police said.

The victims had crossed to the other side of the river to fetch cattle feed, and were returning home when the tragedy occurred.

Rescue operations have been launched on a war footing and divers were pressed into service to trace those missing.