NEW DELHI, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- In Indian Bihar, at least 20 persons were feared dead when an army boat carrying flood victims capsized in the swollen Kosi river in Madhepura district during rescue operation, NDTV reported on Saturday.

    The boat, carrying over 60 flood victims and some personnel of the army, overturned and sank near Mirganj in Murliganj block of the district Friday evening.

    The tragedy occurred as the boat was overcrowded with people eager to reach a safe place. The boat had gone to rescue villagers from Murliganj area and when returning the boats were caught in swirl. Some of the rescued villagers jumped out of fear unsettling the boat, which caused the disaster.

    The state disaster management department additional commissioner Pratyaya Amrit said while 32 of its occupants were saved by the rescue team, 20 others, including an army havildar, were reported missing and feared drowned. Additional rescue teams of the army and National Disaster Response Force have been pressed into service to locate the bodies and possible survivors.