Several missing as two boats carrying 100 passengers sink after collision in Brahmaputra

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Several people are missing after two passenger boats collided with each other and sank in the Brahmaputra River at Jorhat on Wednesday.</p>
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According to initial reports, at least a 100 passengers were on board the boats when they crashed into each other at Nimati Ghat in Jorhat, around 350 km from Guwahati.</p>
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While one of the boats, a government ferry of the Inland Water Transport department, was coming from Majuli, a river island in the Brahmaputra River, to Nimati Ghat, the other was sailing in the opposite direction.</p>
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Videos from the accident showed the boat capsizing after the collision, as some passengers tried to hold on to it while others jumped into the water to save themselves.</p>
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The passengers' belongings including cars and motorcycles on board the boats were also washed away in the river.</p>
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The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) officials reached the spot and started rescue operations. Many people have been rushed to hospitals after being rescued.</p>
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Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa directed the district administration of Majuli and Jorhat districts to carry out the rescue mission expeditiously with the help of the National Disaster Response Force and SDRF.</p>
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He said Home Minister Amit Shah called to enquire about the accident and has promised all possible help.</p>
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The chief minister has directed state minister Bimal Bora to immediately travel to Majuli and take stock of the situation, and asked principal secretary to the chief minister Samir Kumar Sinha to monitor the developments.</p>
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The chief minister said he will visit Nimati Ghat tomorrow to evaluate the situation.</p>
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Union Minister and former Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said he has directed the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways to provide all necessary support to help the victims.</p>