NEW DELHI - At least five people were drowned and seven others missing after a boat capsized in a dam in the eastern Indian state of Bihar on Saturday, a senior police official said.

"The incident happened when the county-made boat, carrying 16 people, capsized in Garhi dam in the state's Jamui district. So far, five bodies have been fished out of the water. While four swam to safety, seven others have been still missing," he said, on condition of anonymity.

The victims were all going to Garhi village to attend a religious function from their native Kauwakol village in neighboring Nawada district, the official said.

A probe has been ordered into the incident, he added.

In India, boats often capsize because of overloading.