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20 killed as boat capsizes in Indian state of Bihar

30/08/2008

At least 20 people have drowned after a rescue boat collapsed in the flood-hit Indian state of Bihar.

A rescue boat was carrying dozens of people trying to escape the rising floodwater in the district of Madhepura. It collapsed under the weight of its passengers resulting in many falling into the sea.

Local police superintendent On Bhaskar told the Associated Press: "The boat was overcrowded because people panicked to be rescued and clambered on board." Army personnel rescued 32 of those who fell into the water while eight managed to swim to safety.

The country's prime minister Manmohan Singh has called the situation in one of India's poorest states a "national calamity". He has announced a relief package of £115m for areas affected by the flooding.

Widespread flooding across Bihar occurred after the river Kosi's breached its banks. The water from the river has inundated large tracts of land and forced the evacuation of many villages.

Over 70 people have died in the natural disaster and at least 90,000 have been evacuated by local authorities.