JABALPUR/BHOPAL: The death toll in the Bargi dam cruise disaster in Madhya Pradesh has risen to 11, with rescuers recovering two more bodies—both children—as search operations continued for the third day. Four people remain missing.
The incident has triggered sharp criticism after it emerged that the cruise, operated by MT Tourism, was allowed to sail on Thursday evening despite forecasts warning of winds reaching up to 50 kmph—well above the recommended safety limit of 25–30 kmph for such activities. Wind speeds are believed to have surged further to nearly 74 kmph at the time of the दुर्घटना.
In contrast, authorities in Bhopal had suspended water sports at the Lower Lake the same day due to strong wind alerts, highlighting apparent lapses in adherence to safety norms at Bargi.
Experts have underscored the risks of ignoring weather advisories. National water sports coach Mayank Thakur said he typically halts operations even at wind speeds of 20–22 kmph. Prashant Kushwaha, associated with the International Canoe Federation, stressed that meteorological warnings must be strictly followed, adding that boats should not be launched if safety thresholds are exceeded.
Accounts from within the tourism department have alleged a pattern of negligence. An official, speaking anonymously, said weather inputs are often overlooked before allowing cruises to operate. “Such boats are safe only if protocols are followed,” the official noted.
The latest victims have been identified as four-year-old Viraj Soni from Darhai village and five-year-old Tamil from Khamariya. Their bodies were recovered from the reservoir at Bargi Dam, located about 40 km from Jabalpur.
According to investigators, 43 people boarded the cruise, as seen in CCTV footage at the entry point. While 28 passengers were rescued on the night of the incident, bodies were recovered over subsequent days as search efforts intensified.
More than 200 personnel from police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Army are involved in the operation, facing strong winds and poor visibility.
The tragedy has devastated several families. Six members of the Soni family were on board—four survived, while Nisha Soni and her young son Viraj are among the deceased. In another case, Tamil had boarded with his father and cousin, who are still missing.
Authorities said rescue operations will continue until all missing passengers are accounted for, as questions mount over safety lapses and accountability in allowing the vessel to operate under hazardous conditions.
