Several reported missing after boat carrying over 100 people breaks apart and sinks in northeastern India

Several people have been reported missing after a boat carrying more than 100 passengers broke apart and then sank in the Brahmaputra River in northeastern India's Assam state on Thursday, June 19.

The incident occurred as the unnamed vessel was travelling with passengers that eyewitnesses said included many schoolchildren.

Eyewitnesses claimed to have seen the vessel suddenly break apart while midstream before subsequently sinking, dumping many of its occupants into the water.

The State Disaster Response Force of the Assam Police and residents from some nearby villages immediately arrived on-site via motorised boats to render assistance.

Although local media reported that a number of passengers were successfully rescued, authorities are still working to ascertain the exact number of people who were on board the boat.

Other eyewitnesses said that schoolbags and other children's belongings were among the debris that ended up floating in the surrounding waters following the incident, raising fears that many of the missing passengers also included small children.

Inland waterways officials told reporters that the vessel had no manifest and that no lifejackets had been provided to the passengers.

An initial report meanwhile stated that the boat was carrying passengers in excess of its maximum rated capacity when the tragedy occurred.