14 die as boat capsizes in Chambal River in India

Fourteen persons, including nine women and five children, died after a crowded ferry capsized in Chambal River in Mandsaur district of Indias central Madhya Pradesh state.Police officials said the boat was carrying 19 people, much beyond its capacity.“Total 19 people were sitting in the boat, out of which five have survived and 14 have died,” said Parasram Meena, a police official.Five persons, including the driver of the boat, managed to swim safely and survived.Till now we have received the information that the boat was plying in the river without any permit. We are collecting information from the village council as well. But the information that we have received till now shows that the boat did not have any authoritys permit, added Meena. The people were going to offer prayers at Nageshwar temple on the other side of the river.The bodies of the deceased were fished out and the state chief Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced the compensation of Rs. one lakh (1,999.80 USD) to the relatives of the deceased.