21 dead in boat capsize near south Indian island

Rescue operations at the island (Pic: The Hindu)

NEW DELHI, India (AA) - At least 21 people are feared dead Sunday evening after a boat carrying 45 people capsized near Port Blair, Andaman Island, off the coast of South Indian state Tamil Nadu, reported NDTV, an English-language news channel. 

The boat, named "Aqua Marine," was carrying mainly tourists from Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu. The incident happened between Ross Island and North Bay at around 4 p.m. local time. 

Rescue operations are underway, and at least 13 people have been rescued so far. 

According to NDTV, the lieutenant governor of Andaman and Nicobar island, AK Singh, has ordered an investigation and announced there would be 100,000 rupees ($1700) in compensation paid to the families of the dead.

Anadolu Agency, January 26, 2014