At least 13 children drowned after a boat carrying festival-goers capsized in the Ganges River in India’s Bihar state, officials said on Wednesday.
The vessel, carrying between 15 and 20 passengers, overturned late Tuesday in Vaishali district, according to local authorities.
District Magistrate Varsha Singh said all 13 victims were aged 15 or younger, although the exact number of people on board has yet to be confirmed, AFP reports.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced compensation for the victims’ families.
“The loss of lives in the boat capsizing incident in Vaishali, Bihar, is deeply painful,” Modi said in a statement, extending his condolences to the bereaved families.
Rescue operations were still underway as authorities continued efforts to locate any remaining passengers.
