HYDERABAD, India - Twelve people drowned and 20 others were missing Saturday after a crowded boat carrying Hindu pilgrims capsized in a river in southern India, police said.
The pilgrims were crossing the Godavari River to reach a village temple on the other side when the boat overturned in mid-river, said V. Balakrishna, a local police superintendent in southern Andhra Pradesh state.
Villagers and police helped pull many pilgrims from the river, while some passengers swam to safety, he said. Rescue efforts were continuing for 20 people still unaccounted for.
The boat with a capacity of 50 had around 70 people on board.
The accident occurred near Narsapur Mandal, around 350 kilometres east of Hyderabad, the state capital.
