At least 20 people died on Thursday when a boat packed with labourers capsized on the Yamuna river in northern India, an official said.

Dharam Pal Singh, the additional magistrate in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh state, told AFP 20 bodies have been recovered.

“It appears the boat was crowded beyond its capacity,” he said.

“The incident happened early morning. It was a privately hired boat and was carrying some 50-55 people,” said Singh.

Boat accidents are common in India, mainly because of overcrowding, poor maintenance and lax safety on ferries. Nineteen people died in January when a boat carrying revellers from a kite festival capsized on the Ganges river in eastern India.