NEW DELHI, Oct. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Over 40 people, including women and children, were feared drowned in the Ganga river after a boat carrying more than 70 people capsized in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh.

Bodies are found after the boat carrying more than 70 people capsized. (Xinhua/AFP)

    The accident occurred Saturday when the overloaded boat capsized in the swirling downstream waters of the river near Narhai village in Ballia district, local media reported.

    According to Ballia District Magistrate Anil Kumar, 22 bodies were fished out until Saturday night and divers were looking for more bodies Sunday.

    "The boat was overloaded, with more than 70 people on board," Indo-Asian News Service quoted Kumar as saying.

    Panic gripped the passengers when water started seeping in from the sides, and some of them jumped into the water while the boat lost balance and capsized, Kumar said.

    About 30 people were able to swim across to the river bank but at least 40 to 45 people are feared drowned, he said.

    According to Kumar, most of the victims were local laborers including women workers and their children. Enditem