NEW DELHI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- About 12 people went missing and five others were rescued after their boat capsized in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, local officials said Friday.
The boat capsized Thursday evening in a river in Jamtara district, about 200 km northeast of Ranchi, the capital city of Jharkhand.
"Five people were rescued by the locals, while as search for others is underway," said an official at Jamtara deputy commissioner's office, noting that about 17 people were reportedly in the boat.
According to local officials, the ill-fated boat was on its way to Jamtara from adjacent Dhanbad district's Nirsa area.
Police and rescue teams rushed to the scene, including a team of National Disaster Response Force divers. But rescue efforts were hampered by the rains in the area.
Boat capsizing incidents are common in India as many people, especially those in rural areas, travel in traditionally made boats. ■