In Bihar, 12 persons drowned and 15 others are missing after their overcrowded boat sank in the Punpun river near Behrampur village in Patna district yesterday. A massive search operation has been launched with the help of trained divers to locate the missing passengers. Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force have also been rushed from Patna to join the rescue operation. State Director General of Police Neelmani said the boat was carrying 55 passengers from Bharochokia village in the Pipra police station area to a fair at Naubatpur in Patna district. He said, all the 12 bodies, including those of four women and three children, have been fished out from the river bed. The rest of the passengers other than the 15 missing swam to safety.Official sources said, the State Disaster Management Department has announced compensation of one lakh rupees for dependents of each of the drowned.