HighLights
  1. Boat carrying 18 labourers capsized in Ganga River.
  2. Twelve labourers swam to safety, six remain missing.
  3. SDRF team launched intensive rescue operation with divers.

Jagran Correspondent, Bhagalpur | A boat carrying 18 labourers capsized in the Ganges River in the Raghopur area of Kharik block, under the Navgachhia police station in Bhagalpur district, Bihar. The boat turned upside down midstream amid overflow in the river. According to officials, there were 18 labourers on board, and 12 of them managed to swim to shore, but six went missing. They were crossing the river to go to work when the tragic incident took place.

Witnesses said that immediately after the boat capsized, several labourers tried to save their lives by swimming. Of these, 12 swam safely to the ghat, they added.

ALSO READ: Nepal Flash Floods: Bihar Districts On High Alert As Gandak River Water Level Rises After Floods; Check Advisory

Horrific Video Surfaces

The incident was captured on camera, possibly by a bystander on the shore. In the video, the boat is seen capsizing, and labourers jump away from the sinking boat. A few workers are seen standing on the bottom of the boat when its upper side completely sank in the viral video. Following the incident, a chaotic situation occurred at the ghat. People started shouting for help.

SDRF Team Deployed To Search Six Missing People

Upon receiving the information, the local administration and the SDRF team arrived at the scene with motorboats. With the help of divers, an intensive rescue operation was launched to search for those who drowned and were missing in the river's strong current.

Sarpanch of Raghopur village, Pramod Mandal, said, "About thirty to thirty-five boats and their boatmen came here to help mitigate the erosion. Labourers work alongside them. They load sacks upstream and drop them right here at the points where erosion is occurring. These boatmen are incredibly hardworking. However, it is heartbreaking to hear about the tragedy that struck the banks of the Ganges in our village."

"A boat sank while in operation. While some labourers managed to swim to safety, others got trapped and drowned. The administration and the Water Resources Department must take responsibility for the boatmen who have drowned. They need to ensure safety measures are provided for all the boatmen here before resuming operations at the site. Currently, there are no safety belts or protective gear on any of the boats," Mandal said.

Recommended For You

ALSO READ: Patna: Flood-Like Situation After Ganga Level Rises Above Danger Mark, Waterlogging Disrupts Traffic

Fear Of Being Trapped Under The Capsized Boat

According to eyewitnesses, some workers were feared to have been trapped under the boat when it capsized. Local divers and villagers were also assisting the administration in the rescue and relief efforts. Senior administrative and police officials arrived at the scene and were monitoring the situation.


Also In News