21 February 2004	Saturday	29 Zilhaj 1424

SHEIKHUPURA, Feb 20: Eleven people, four of them women and two children of the same family, were killed when their ferry capsized in the river Ravi on Thursday night near village Buchoki Par, about 90km from here.

According to reports reaching here, 10 members of Din Mohammad's family, from Dera Sheikhan near village Buchoki Par, had gone to attend a wedding in Dera Yar Mohammad located on the other side of the river, in a boat.

After the ceremony, they boarded the boat along with a few more guests for the return journey. Due to excess load, the boatman could not control the ferry and it capsized when it reached deep water. Four men are reported to have swum to safety.

Another boat, coming behind the ill-fated ferry, informed police about the accident and rescue operation was launched at 3.30am. Six bodies have been recovered so far. Boota Doger, who was among the survivors, said the boat was in a poor condition.

The administration should take action against people who were operating such ferries, he added. The report about the incident reached Mandi Faizabad police station three hours after the accident.

Governor Khalid Maqbool and Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi have expressed grief over the incident and announced Rs100,000 compensation for each deceased. They directed the district Nazim and the district coordination officer for early payment of the compensation amount.