20 dead as boat capsizes while crossing river in Nangarhar province

International Desk: At least 20 people, including children, died when a boat sank while crossing the river in the eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

On Saturday (June 1) at 7 am local time, the incident occurred in the river in Basaul area of ​​Momand Dara district, a provincial official said. Nangarhar Provincial Information Department Chief Qurayshi Badlun said in a post on social media that there were 25 people on the boat according to village residents. Five people managed to save their lives in this incident.

He also said that the cause of the boat sinking is being investigated. The Nangarhar Health Department said in a statement that five bodies have been recovered so far. Among them are one male, one female, two boys and one girl.

The statement added that the search for the others is continuing and a medical team and ambulance have been sent to the scene. According to Afghan media, residents of the area often use locally made boats to travel between villages and local markets as there are no bridges.