DHAKA: At least 18 people were killed and 12 went missing when a boat carrying Muslim pilgrims hit a bridge in Thailand’s Chao Pharaya River.

The accident happened Sunday (September 18) near the ancient city of Ayutthaya, a popular tourist attraction. All the victims were Thai citizens, the Guardian reports.

The boat had reportedly 150 passengers onboard returning from a new mosque from north of capital Bangkok.

The double storey boat crashed into a pillar on the Chao Praya River at 4pm local time.

Udomsak Khaonoona, disaster prevention chief for the city 50 miles north of Bangkok, said, “The boat tried to avoid another vessel and crashed into the concrete column of a bridge.”

Rescue authority was operating at the scene and they have feared the death toll may rise as at least 12 were still missing.

Rewat Prasong, deputy governor of Ayutthaya province, said most of those on board the boat were local Muslim pilgrims returning from a nearby mosque.

“The boat driver may not have been used to this area and there was a strong tide today,” he said.

BDST: 1740 HRS, SEP 19, 2016
NR/BD