India boat capsizes, drowning 13, mostly children

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Rescue operations underway, locals protest, alleging administrative negligence

At least 13 children lost their lives when a boat capsized in the Ganga river in Vaishali district of Bihar late Tuesday evening.

The boat was carrying residents travelling to a feast in a neighbouring village, and authorities are continuing rescue efforts as the cause of the tragedy remains under investigation.

The accident occurred at around 8:30pm on Tuesday in the Raghopur police station area of Vaishali district. According to District Magistrate Varsha Singh, residents of Rampur Shyamchand village were crossing the river to attend a feast when the boat overturned.

Officials said the boat was carrying more than a dozen passengers. Initial estimates suggested there were between 15 and 20 people aboard, although the exact number remained unclear. Other reports said the damaged vessel had been carrying more than 20 passengers.

Thirteen bodies had been recovered by the time officials provided their updates, and all the deceased were children under 15 years of age.

District Magistrate Varsha Singh said rescue and relief operations were continuing, with local divers receiving assistance from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

Officials reported that seven children had been rescued and taken to NMCH hospital in Patna for treatment, where their condition was said to be stable. However, Singh also gave a separate update stating that the total number of people rescued was six.

Regional police officer Subodh Kumar confirmed that six people had been rescued, according to a report by Reuters on Wednesday. The differing figures in the initial updates have not been reconciled in the information provided by officials.

The damaged boat has also been retrieved from the river. SDRF Sub-Inspector Jai Deep Narayan Singh confirmed the recovery while speaking to reporters.

Police are investigating the cause of the accident, while rescue teams continue their work in the affected area.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed condolences over the loss of life and announced compensation of Rs4 lakh for the family of each deceased person.

The announcement came as the tragedy prompted grief among residents and calls for accountability from the local administration.

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav said on X that he had spoken to the district administration and received an update on the incident.

Yadav said he had urged the officials concerned to accelerate rescue operations. He also promised to visit the bereaved families after returning from Delhi, saying he would offer support to those affected by the tragedy.

Meanwhile, residents staged a protest in the village, accusing the administration of negligence in connection with the boat accident. They demanded that a first information report (FIR) be registered against the officials concerned.

Authorities have yet to establish the definitive cause of the capsizing. The investigation and ongoing rescue and relief efforts are expected to provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

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