20000331

Boat disaster

11 bodies

recovered

GUJRAT: Eleven bodies have been recovered so far, while search for the remaining victims of the boat tragedy which capsized in river Chenab at Kot Ghulam Pattan, near Jallalpur Jattan on Wednesday continues.

Eye witnesses talking to APP said that the number of the persons on board the boat was between 70 to 80.

"The number of the passengers in the boat was not more than 80 and with the recovery of 11 bodies the number of those missing is about 69," said an eye witness.

The victims were returning after attending annual Urs of Saint Sheikh Pana when the boat lost balance due to overloading and capsized.

Corps Commander Maj. Gen Mohammad Anwar visited the site on Thursday and directed administration to expedite recovery of missing persons.

The Deputy Commissioner, Gujrat and the SSP are supervising rescue operations.

Nine of the recovered bodies have been identified as Allah Rakhi, Sakina Bibi, Rasool Bibi, Naziran Bibi, a kid Ali Raza all resident of Chak Sada, Adnan Safdar resident of Khewa Hayat Garh, Mohammad Ashgar, Mohamamd Hussain and Nasrin Bibi resident of Kasooki. The identity of two others could not be ascertained.ÑAPP