Udaipur: A boat capsized in the Mahi river in Banswara district Tuesday afternoon, leaving an eight-year-old boy and a youth missing, while eight others, including the boatman, swam to safety.The incident occurred near Bhainsau village under Arthuna police station limits, where around 10 people were on board. Police, along with Civil Defence and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, launched a search operation for the missing — Jayesh (21) and Manav (8).According to police, the group had visited the Sangameshwar Mahadev temple and went boating in the river afterwards. The boat capsized about 200 metres from the riverbank.While most passengers managed to swim ashore, the boatman fled the spot after the incident. Preliminary investigation suggests that the boat was overloaded and none of the passengers were provided life jackets.Superintendent of police Sudhir Joshi said police teams were deployed and rescue efforts continued till late evening with the help of local divers and villagers.Deputy superintendent of police Babulal Raigar said a team of around 10 people was conducting search operations using two boats. He added that local fishermen and divers were also assisting in the rescue efforts. The submerged boat had not been traced yet.
