Boat disaster toll mounts to 24; seven still missing

Thirteen more bodies were recovered today taking the toll in the boat capsize incident in Odisha's Sambalpur district to 24 even as efforts were on to trace at least seven more missing persons.
The bodies were found as scuba divers were engaged in the morning to trace the missing persons after the boat capsize in Sambalpur district yesterday, Special Relief Commissioner P K Mohapatra told PTI.
He said at least seven persons were still missing.
"The number of missing persons might vary with additional information being received from local people," Mohapatra said.
The scuba divers also located the sunken boat.

The state government has announced Rs 1.5 lakh ex-gratia for the family members of the dead and free treatment for the survivors.
An administrative inquiry by Sambalpur's revenue divisional commissioner has been ordered.