At least 11 people, mostly children, were killed after a boat carrying around 15 to 20 people capsized in the Ganga River in Bihar's Hajipur district on Tuesday. The incident took place in the Raghopur Diara area of Vaishali district near Rampur village in Raghopur, the Assembly constituency of Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav.
Most of the victims were minors who were travelling on the boat to attend a post-funeral feast, according to preliminary information. There are reports of casualties, though the exact number of deaths has not yet been confirmed.
Local residents have joined the search for those still missing. District police officials and a team of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been dispatched to the spot to carry out search and rescue operations.
"11 people died after a boat capsized in the Raghopur Diara area of Vaishali district. Most of the deceased are minors who were traveling on the boat to attend the feast. District police officials and an SDRF team have been dispatched to conduct search operations," the Vaishali DM said.
PM Modi expresses grief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragic death and announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh. "The loss of lives in the boat capsizing incident in Vaishali, Bihar, is deeply painful. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this difficult time. I pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured. The local administration is assisting those affected. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," PMO said in an X post.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said the deaths of children in the boat accident in Raghopur, Vaishali, were deeply saddening and heart-wrenching. "The news of the innocent lives lost in the boat accident in Raghoopur, Vaishali, is extremely heartbreaking and soul-wrenching. In this difficult time, my deepest condolences are with the bereaved families. May God grant peace to the departed souls and provide the families with the strength to bear this immense sorrow," the CM said in a post on X.
He also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased person. "From the state government, financial assistance of Rs 4-4 lakh (ex gratia amount) will be provided to the families of the deceased," he said.
Choudhary added that the administration had been directed to expedite relief and rescue operations and ensure proper medical treatment for the injured.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said he had received the tragic news of a boat capsizing in the Diara area of Raghopur, adding that most of those who drowned were children.
He said that he had spoken to local residents, the administration, and officials, and directed them to expedite rescue and relief operations as well as medical assistance for those affected.
"I have received the unfortunate and tragic news of a boat capsizing in the Diara area of Raghopur. Most of those who drowned are children. May God keep everyone safe. I spoke to local residents, the administration and officials, and directed them to expedite rescue, relief and medical assistance," Yadav said.
One dead as boat capsizes in Bihar’s Vaishali
Earlier on September 8, a man died, and another went missing after a boat carrying 11 people capsized in the Ganga in Bihar's Vaishali district on Tuesday, officials said. The incident occurred in the Terasia Diara area of the district. Nine people were rescued safely, with some managing to swim ashore, they said.
The deceased has been identified as 20-year-old Chandan Kumar.
The boat reportedly collided with a boulder submerged in floodwater, lost balance and overturned, the officials said.
More than 35 lakh people in 14 districts of Bihar were affected by floods as the situation worsened on Tuesday, with authorities sounding an alert for areas downstream of the Ganga as the river crossed the highest flood level at Sultanganj in Bhagalpur district, they added.
(Report: Raja Babu)
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