Tuesday, August 16 2005 14:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Guntur (AP): A ferry carrying 23 persons, mostly women, capsized with many of them feared drowned in the Repalle bank canal in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh this morning, (Aug 16, 2005) police said.

"The ferry was carrying 23 farm labourers against its capacity of 10 persons when it capsized in the Repalle bank canal near Godavarru village amid heavy rains. While three persons swam to safety, there is no trace of others as yet," police said in Guntur.

The labourers were going to take part in the paddy transplantations operations in nearby villages.

The ferry driver's son, a novice, operated the ferry police added.