New Delhi - More than 30 people were feared to have drowned after a boat capsized in India's eastern Bihar state on Thursday, police said.

The overloaded boat capsized in the Harohar river in Sheikhpura district, 40 kilometres north of Bihar capital Patna, an official at the state police control room said.

One woman passenger and about five men swam to safety, but more than 30 passengers were still missing, the official said.

The boat, which was carrying a large group of villagers. capsized in the fast-flowing river after it got stuck in a fishing net.

Many of those missing were women and children the official said, adding that from the accounts of the survivors it was estimated that there were between 30 to 40 passengers on the boat and at least 20 people may have drowned.

Rescue workers and officials had reached the site and a search for the missing was on but no bodies had been found yet, officials said. (dpa)