Over 42 people were feared drowned as a boat carrying them capsized in river Ganga in Ballia district on Monday.
The incident took place at Ojhwalia ghat in Haldi area of Ballia district.
According to police reports, divers have recovered 25 bodies so far while 17 persons are still missing. The boat was carrying more than 75 people who were on their way to perform a “mundan” ceremony.
The boat that was apparently overloaded capsized midstream.
Of the bodies recovered, nine were men, nine women and seven were children. About 32 people swam ashore or were rescued by the people.
The search was on for other survivours, a senior district official, camping on the spot, said.
Several boats and divers have been pressed into rescue operation, while the senior officers have rushed to the spot to supervise the relief and rescue operations.
UP chief minister Mayawati has condoled the deaths in the boat tragedy and has announced a compensation of Rs 1 lakh each to the kin of the victims.