Eight people have died and one is missing off the coast of south India, after a boat on which they were travelling capsized today (January 21) near Karwar.

The boat, carrying 26 people travelling to a temple on a remote island, capsized on its return, with initial reports from the Indian Navy claiming 16 dead, but later estimates revised this figure to only eight.

"We are locating others by air and surface assets. Dornier aircraft also being launched from Goa as bodies drifted seawards," Indian Navy said in a statement.

Indian Navy, which has a base nearby, was pressed for the rescue operation, which is still underway.

Sixteen people have died in South India after a boat on which they were travelling capsized off the Karwar coast.

"16 bodies have been recovered by the Navy and Coast Guard personnel. We are locating others by air and surface assets. Dornier aircraft also being launched from Goa as bodies drifted seawards," Indian Navy said in a statement.

There were 26 people on the boat when the accident took place.

The people had gone to a temple located at a remote island in Karwar district.

As they were returning, their boat capsized.

Indian Navy, which has a base nearby, was pressed for the rescue operation, which is underway.