Ten people are still missing after a boat carrying more than 30 people, including children, overturned in Bihar‘s Muzaffarpur district on Thursday morning. The children were being taken to school when the boat capsized near Madhupur Patti Ghat along the Bagmati River.

A team from the National Disaster Response Force is leading the rescue operation, news agency ANI reported. In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter) four men can be seen on an inflatable NDRF raft; one man, with an oxygen tank on his back, jumps into the river to continue searching for people.

#WATCH | A team of NDRF conducts search and rescue operation at the site of a boat capsize in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur

10 persons remain missing, 15-20 people rescued so far, as per district administration. pic.twitter.com/9d2hSqASIH

— ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2023

“Around 11 in the morning NDRF Control Room got information a boat capsized in Bagmati River near Muzaffarpur. As soon as we got information we ordered our team to reach the site…” Randhir Singh, the Deputy Commandant of the NDRF’s Bihar unit, told ANI.

“As per our information, there were 25-30 people on the boat and, till now we have received information from local administration that nearly 20 have been rescued (but) you should confirm this from civil administration…” he said.

“For people not able to save themselves, our team of divers has reached and they are busy rescuing people.. As soon as we get information about bodies, we will share…” he added.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told reporters senior officers, including the District Magistrate, had been directed to the scene of the accident and said aid and support will be given to the children’s families.

#WATCH | Boat carrying school children capsizes in Bagmati river in Beniabad area of Bihar’s Muzaffarpur pic.twitter.com/TlHEfvvGYy

— ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2023

“Rescue operation is underway… I have asked the District Magistrate concerned to look into the matter with urgency. The state government will provide all assistance to the affected families.” he said.

A team from the State Disaster Response Force is also on-site.