hailakandi boat capsize
Representative image.

Three persons on Thursday went missing while five others were rescued after a country boat capsized in the Na-Dehing river in Kakopathar area in upper Assam’s Tinsukia district.

According to sources, eight persons were on board when the boat capsized after it was hit by a big wave in the middle of the river. Some of the passengers managed to swim to the shore while a few others were rescued by locals.

Three persons including a couple were swept away by the strong current. The three missing persons have been identified as Shankar Gunju and Phulmoti Gunju of Malbhog village and Bhaiya Gowala of Kosudub village.

Personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have launched a search operation to trace the missing persons.

“We have launched a joint search operation but could not trace the missing persons. We will continue our search operation. We have announced that everybody should remain safe at home and appeal them not to go in front of the river because of its current,” said an official of SDRF.