West Bengal trawler capsize toll now 77
By IANSWednesday, November 3, 2010
KAKDWIP - The deaths in the West Bengal trawler capsize in the Muriganga river rose to 77 Wednesday, as yet another body was recovered. Fifty-four people are still missing.
“One more body was found floating today. The number of deaths is now 77,” South 24-Parganas police superintendent L.N. Meena told IANS over phone Wednesday.
The trawler ferrying 220 people, mainly Muslim pilgrims, to Kakdwip in South 24-Parganas from Hijli Sharif in East Midnapore district, capsized Saturday morning.
The accident occured near Ghoramara Island, about 150 km south of Kolkata, in the mouth of the Muriganga River where it empties into the Bay of Bengal. Eighty-nine people have been rescued so far.
The search operations involved divers from the Indian Navy, the Coast Guard and the Kolkata Port Trust.
A helicopter and a hovercraft also have been deployed in the search operations.
