12 drown in India in religious ceremony

September 13, 2019 - 15:49

Twelve people drowned in a lake in central India on Friday morning when their boats capsized during a religious ceremony, authorities said.

National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Emergency Response Force personnel conduct rescue and search operations for survivors at Lower Lake in Bhopal on Friday. — AFP/VNA Photo

NEW DELHI — Twelve people drowned in a lake in central India on Friday morning when their boats capsized during a religious ceremony, authorities said.

The boats carrying 20-25 people tipped over in the early hours in Bhopal as they were about to immerse an idol of the Hindu elephant god Ganesha.

"Twelve bodies have been retrieved so far and (the) search is on for one more person," the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said in a statement.

This week marks the end of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, when colourfully decorated idols of Ganesha are immersed in water. — AFP

ASEAN members strengthen defence cooperation

World

Rose, Bruno Mars to perform 'APT.' at MAMA Awards

World

Bus travellers can use QR code immigration clearance in trial at Woodlands, Tuas checkpoints

World

South Korea to extend paid leave for women who experience miscarriages or stillbirths

World

Superbug infections could kill over 80,000 Malaysians by 2030, says Health Minister

World

Funds raised by Southeast Asian IPOs now at a 9-year low, but outlook positive: Deloitte

More on this story

World

US wants to make 'meaningful progress' in China trade talks

US trade negotiators want to make "meaningful progress" in upcoming talks with China, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Thursday, one day after conciliatory gestures by both sides boosted hopes of an eventual resolution.

World

6 in 10 S. Koreans registered for reunions with separated families have died: data

Nearly 60 per cent of South Koreans who have sought reunions with family members separated by the 1950-53 Korean War have died, government data showed on Friday.

World

Centenarians top 70,000 in Japan's graying population

The number of people aged 100 or older in Japan has exceeded 70,000 for the first time after marking an increase for the 49th consecutive year in the aging society whose birth rate remains low, government data showed on Friday.

World

Johnson denies lying to Queen in Brexit crisis

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denied on Thursday that he had lied to Queen Elizabeth II when requesting the suspension of parliament this month in the run-up to Brexit.

World

Water discovered for first time in atmosphere of habitable exoplanet

Water has been discovered for the first time in the atmosphere of an exoplanet with Earth-like temperatures that could support life as we know it, scientists revealed on Wednesday.

World

In victory for Trump, top US court permits asylum restrictions

The US Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed President Donald Trump's administration to implement asylum restrictions that prevent most Central American migrants from applying at the US border.

World

2,500 unaccounted for in hurricane-hit Bahamas: official

About 2,500 people are unaccounted for in the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian, the archipelago's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said on Wednesday.

World

Russian ministry offers bill to ease procedure for obtaining citizenship by foreign grads

The Russian Interior Ministry has developed a bill on simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship by foreign graduates of Russian universities.

World

US eyes deeper co-operation with Japan after Cabinet reshuffle

The United States expects to "sustain and deepen" its close ties with Japan over regional and global issues, a State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe revamped his Cabinet.