A tragic boat accident in Bihar’s Samastipur district claimed multiple lives after a vessel carrying 14 passengers overturned in the Ganga on Thursday morning.
Rescue teams from different agencies continued search operations as several people were still missing till the latest reports.
The passengers were reportedly returning from agricultural work in Sultanpur Diara when the incident took place near Umanath Ghat in Mohiuddinnagar block.
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A boat carrying farm workers overturns in the Ganga
According to a Hindustan Times report, officials said that the boat was carrying 14 people who had travelled to Sultanpur Diara for farming-related activities. The passengers, residents of Masoomganj Bind Toli under the Barh police station area in Patna district, were returning with vegetables loaded from parwal fields when the boat capsized midstream, as per Hindustan Times reports.
Authorities said seven passengers were rescued safely, while rescue teams continued efforts to locate those missing. Initial reports had confirmed two deaths, but later updates from officials stated that the toll had risen to three.
Strong winds and engine failure are suspected
Officials linked the accident to bad weather conditions in the area. The district administration said strong winds caused the boat to overturn near Sultanpur Diara.
Sub-divisional officer of Barh, Garima Lohiya, said the boat’s engine had reportedly failed while it was in the middle of the river. “Two bodies had initially been recovered,” she said.
Eyewitnesses and local residents also joined rescue efforts before emergency teams arrived at the site.
Rescue operation underway
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) reached the area soon after the incident. Officials from both Patna and Samastipur district administrations supervised the rescue operation.
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Mohiuddinnagar circle officer Brijesh Kumar Dwivedi said, “Three deaths have been confirmed so far, and four persons are still missing.” He added that the deceased included two men and one woman, and their identities had been established, according to Hindustan Times.
As news of the mishap spread, large crowds gathered at Umanath Ghat. Family members of the victims waited at the riverbank while police and civil administration officials carried out identification procedures and other formalities.
