At least 92 people died when an overcrowded boat capsized in the Tigris river in Iraq on Thursday, officials said.

 

The accident happened near Mosul during Nowruz and Mother's Day celebrations, a CNN report quoting officials said.

 

Twelve children were among the victims, health ministry spokesman Saif al-Badr said.

 

There were about 150 people on board the boat and about 60 are still missing, said Mosul Mayor Zuhair al-Araji.

 

The ferry was transporting people to a small tourist island called Umm al-Rabeein. It was loaded with over twice the permitted capacity, officials said.