Four schoolchildren were drowned and at least 20 others feared dead when a boat in which they were travelling capsized in a river in Handwara town in the border district of Kupwara late on Saturday afternoon.

The police said 30 children of three local schools were trying to cross the flooded river to reach their homes after the end of their classes when the boat capsized.

Villagers and the police rushed to the spot immediately and rescued six children. Police sources said massive search is continuing to trace the missing children. Bodies of four children have been recovered by the search parties so far.

A pall of gloom has descended on the town and senior administration officials have reached the spot.