Vaishali: At least 11 minors died after a country-made boat capsized in the Ganga river in Bihar’s Raghopur Diara area of Vaishali district. Several passengers remain missing, while rescue teams continued search operations overnight, according to officials.
The accident occurred around 8.30 pm near Rampur Shyamchand village, under the jurisdiction of Raghopur police station, when the boat was ferrying passengers between villages. Most of those aboard were reportedly travelling to attend a feast organised as part of Hindu Shraddh rituals.
Police said around 15 to 20 people were believed to have been aboard the vessel. Seven people, including the boat owner, were rescued, while some passengers reportedly managed to swim to safety. Authorities are continuing to verify the exact number of people on board and the number still missing.
According to initial reports, the boat may have capsized due to an imbalance. However, officials said the precise cause would be established through an investigation. Rising water levels and strong river currents may also have contributed to the accident.
Vaishali District Magistrate Varsha Singh confirmed the deaths and said disaster response teams, including state and national disaster relief personnel, had been deployed to conduct rescue operations.
The district administration is also investigating whether the boat was operating during restricted night hours. Officials said the vessel belonged to a local resident who had been transporting villagers to a nearby settlement for the feast.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh to the family of each deceased person. He also directed officials to expedite rescue efforts and ensure appropriate medical treatment for the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an additional ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased person.
Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav also expressed condolences and called for coordination between local residents and the administration to speed up rescue and relief operations.
Search efforts are continuing as authorities work to locate missing passengers and determine the circumstances that led to the fatal accident.
