Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of the victims of the Bihar boat tragedy that left more than 20 persons dead.

Expressing grief and extending his condolences, Modi also approved Rs 50,000 for those critically injured in the boat capsize in the Ganga river in Patna on Saturday evening.

The overcrowded boat capsized when returning from a kite flying festival organised as part of the Makar Sankranti celebrations by the state Tourism Department.

About 20 people were missing and eight, who were rescued from the river, were undergoing treatment at the Patna Medical College.