(Eds: Updating toll)Lahore, Dec 7 (PTI) An overcrowded boat carrying devoteescapsized in a creek in Pakistan's Sindh province today,killing at least 21 people including women and children,authorities said.
The boat carrying members of the Dawoodi Bohra communitycapsized near to Thatta city.
Deputy Commissioner Thatta Nasir Baig the accident tookplace as the overloaded boat lost balance and tipped over in acreek, 30 kilometres away from Bohara. He added that the boatwas carrying passengers travelling to the shrine of Pir Pathaito celebrate a festival.
He said the boat was carrying 60-70 passengers.
At least 21 bodies have been recovered, Dawn newspaperquoted officials at the Mirpur Sakro Taluqa Hospital assaying.
Officials said the dead included women and children.
About 15-20 people were rescued and admitted to thehospital in an unconscious state, Baig said.
Commissioner Hyderabad Division Saeed Magnejo said thatthe ongoing local rescue efforts are being supported bycoordination between Navy and Army units in the area.
According to local rescue officials, the passengers weredevotees seeking to attend the annual urs celebration of thesufi saint. They are believed to be members of the DawoodiBohra community.
Chairman Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum Muhammad Ali Shah saidthat one boat capsized at the Bohara jetty when the boattilted over as passengers rushed to exit it. He said therewere nearly 100 passengers on board at the time.
Shah said he had received reports of at least 40 bodiesbeing recovered. These reports, however, have not beenindependently verified, the paper said. PTI NSA/CORRNSA.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.