Death Toll Rises in Bargi Dam Boat Tragedy
Rescue teams are intensifying their search efforts in the Narmada River following a tragic boat capsize at Bargi Dam, which has claimed 13 lives. The incident occurred on Thursday evening when a sudden storm with winds reaching 40–60 km/h overturned the tourist vessel “Narmada Queen,” carrying 43 passengers. As of now, one tourist remains missing, prompting ongoing rescue operations.
Details of the Incident
The boat capsized approximately 35 kilometers from Jabalpur, leading to a frantic rescue operation. Officials confirmed that out of the 43 tourists aboard, 29 were successfully rescued. The deceased include eight women, four children, and one man. Among the latest victims identified are Kamraaj R, a 45-year-old employee of the Ordnance Factory Khamraja, and his nine-year-old nephew Mauryan, both hailing from Tamil Nadu. Tragically, most of Kamraaj’s family members who were traveling with him also perished, leaving only one child as a survivor.
Authorities reported that the sudden change in weather caused panic among the passengers, resulting in the boat losing control and capsizing. Rescue operations are being conducted by teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), who are actively searching for the missing individual. The Army has since withdrawn from the site, focusing efforts on the ongoing rescue and recovery operations.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
Preliminary investigations, supported by CCTV footage, have confirmed the number of passengers on board at the time of the accident. Authorities are now examining potential safety lapses and whether adequate weather warnings were issued prior to the incident. The tragic event has raised significant concerns regarding the safety protocols in place for tourist vessels operating in the region, especially during adverse weather conditions.
