South Pakistan boat capsizal death toll rises to 21

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of Thursday evening's boat capsizal incident in Arabian Sea off the coastal area of Pakistan's southern Thatta district has mounted to 21, hospital sources said.

Medical superintendent at the Mirpur Sakro Taluqa Hospital confirmed that they have received 21 bodies from the accident in Thatta, a main district in the country's south Sindh province.

Nasir Baig, deputy commissioner of Thatta said that 20 more people have been recovered and shifted to the hospital.

He said that the boat had a capacity of 40 to 50 people, but it was carrying 60 to 80 people who were on their way to the shrine for pilgrimage.

Some officials also said that the boat capsized in the open Arabian Sea off Thatta's coastal area due to windstorm.

The deputy commissioner claimed that the accident happened in a creek near the coastal area when all the passengers rushed to get off the boat for reaching the shore.

He said that the boat tilted to one side due to sudden move of the passengers, causing the accident.

The official added that rescue work has been temporarily suspended as darkness of the night is acting as a hindrance for rescue teams to continue their work. The search for the missing pilgrims will be resumed in the morning.

Divers and boats from Pakistan navy also took part in the rescue operation.

This is the third boat capsizal accident in Sindh this year. Earlier two accidents happened in the Indus River and claimed the lives of 15 people. Enditem