Death toll in Bengal trawler tragedy rises to 30

KOLKATA - The death count in the West Bengal trawler tragedy in Muriganga river has shot up to 30 after seven more bodies were found Monday. Over 100 people are still missing.

“We have confirmed reports about seven more bodies being found Monday. The death count is now 30,” South 24 Parganas District Magistrate Narayan Swarup Nigam told IANS Monday.

Divers from Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Kolkata Port Trust are conducting a massive search.

The trawler ferrying nearly 200 people, mainly Muslim pilgrims, to Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas from Hijli Sharif in East Midnapore district capsized Saturday morning in the mouth of Muriganga river where it empties out in the Bay of Bengal.

About 51 people have been rescued so far, of whom 32 are admitted to the Kakdwip subdivisional hospital. According to the survivors, the trawler had about 150-250 passengers on board when it capsized. Over 100 are still missing.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Sunday held a high-level meeting at Kakdwip and reviewed search operations.

A helicopter was deployed, while a hovercraft explored the waters over a five-kilometre area around the disaster spot. Five navy divers were flown in from the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam.

Later on Sunday, Railways Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee visited the area and met the family members of victims.