Three pilgrims drowned and several others went missing when a country-boat capsized in the river Ganga in Bihar's Buxar district on Saturday.

The mishap occurred when the boat carrying about 50 pilgrims from Mangala Bhavani temple in Balia district of neighbouring Uttar Pradesh capsized midstream in Buxar town area of Bihar, official sources said.

While three bodies have been recovered, 25 others either swam to safety or were rescued. Around 10 to 15 pilgrims were still missing, the sources said.

Search is on to find the missing persons with the authorities of Buxar and Bhojpur districts instructed to cast giant nets along the course of the river and press divers into service, sources said.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the tragedy, sources at his office told PTI.

Nitish Kumar spoke to the district magistrates of Buxar and Bhojpur directing them to launch vigorous efforts to locate the possible survivors and bodies.