At least 16 people drowned and more than 50 were missing after the trawler they were travelling on capsized near India's eastern coast on Saturday, a news report said.
No reason was given why the trawler with over 100 people onboard capsized near the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Buriganga in West Bengal, dpa reported.
"Sixteen bodies have been fished out. The incident occurred around 10.30 am near Ghoramara island in South 24 Parganas district," senior police official Surojit Kar Purokayastha told the IANS news agency.
District administration officials said nearly 50 people either swam to safety or were rescued.
"The casualty figure could be as high as 40," a local official Ranjit Mondal said, adding 18 people were rescued by fishing vessels.
Defence Ministry officials said navy divers were sent to the scene to help in rescue operations.