- City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
- Dubai 05:45 07:02 12:31 15:31 17:54 19:12
A body of a young Indian girl is transported on a stretcher on October 31, 2010 in Kakdwip after an overcrowded ferry capsized and sank, killing at least 20 people yesterday. (AFP)
At least 35 Muslim pilgrims drowned when an overcrowded ferry sank in eastern India, officials said Monday, adding that many more bodies may have been washed away or still be in the vessel.
The boat capsized on Saturday in a fast-flowing river in the state of West Bengal, 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Kolkata.
"We have found bodies floating near the Bay of Bengal," state minister Kanti Ganguly told AFP. "We fear many other bodies are under the boat. The death toll is likely to rise."
The boat was badly overcrowded as it crossed the Muriganga river after a Muslim religious event, but the number of people on board was unknown.
Navy vessels, a helicopter and fishermen continued their search of the area.
Hundreds of angry relatives on Sunday staged a demonstration on a jetty near where the tragedy took place, protesting that the rescue operation had been too slow.
The boat sank after hitting a sandbank in rough weather, reports said.
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.