At least four women were drowned, while five others were still missing after a boat capsized in Sone River in Bihar's Rohtas district on Thursday.

Five women were rescued, but they suffered serious injuries in the incident. They have been admitted to Narayan Medical College and Hospital.

A search operation was underway for the five missing women. There were around 15 women on the boat at the time of the accident.

"The boat capsized in the swirling waters. Till now bodies of four women have been found, while five have been rescued in a serious condition. One woman swam to safety while five others are missing after the incident," PTI quoted Dehri-on-Sone sub-divisional officer Pankaj Patel as saying.

The incident took place when the women were on their way to an island in the middle of the river for agricultural purposes, SDO Patel said.

The deceased were identified as 40-year-old Parvati Devi, Mahangi Devi (35), Radhika Devi (32) and Champa Devi (38).