Motihari, Sept. 15: At least 40 people were feared drowned today when a boat carrying them capsized midstream in the river Burhi Gandak near Semra Ghat in East Champaran district, about 170km from here.

The divers, who were pressed into service, had recovered only the body of an infant till the filing of this report.

The ill-fated boat, which had left Semra Ghat for Chaknagari, was believed to be overloaded with 50 people, including men, women and children, and motorcycles, cycles and agricultural wares, when it capsized around 10.30am. Most of the passengers were on their way to attend an official fair, organised in Mehsi block to distribute houses under Indira Awas Yojana.

East Champaran district magistrate Abhijit Sinha, who is camping at the site along with other officials and rescue teams, expressed inability to give the casualty figures. “Many people might have swam to safety,” he said. “The rescuers have so far fished out one body. We have information that at least four people swam to safety.”

While survivors and local residents feared 40 people may have drowned, Sinha said families were yet to turn up to claim relatives. “Let us wait for some more time for details to come in,” he said.

Umesh Ram of Rajepur village, who had swum to safety, told The Telegraph: “Nearly 40 people might have lost their lives. There were around 50 men, women and children onboard. The boat was caught in a whirl and suddenly sunk. As I swam out, I could not find anyone around me.”

Ramesh Kumar, a teacher in Kataha middle school who crosses the river daily, also survived. He said: “Most of the passengers were drowned when the boat sank. Only a few might have survived the mishap.”

After four hours of operation, the divers had fished out four motorcycles, 12 cycles and other agricultural tools.

The district magistrate, who has ordered an inquiry, said the process of paying compensation to the kin of the victims would begin only after gathering specific details of the casualties.

The residents said removal of the makeshift pontoon bridge across the river caused today’s mishap. The contractors had removed the bridge, as it was unable to cope with the rise in the river’s water-level. They alleged the contractors removed the makeshift bridge instead of expanding it, favouring boatmen who got more passengers and a chance to make more money.