In a devastating incident on Thursday, 16 lives were lost, including 14 schoolchildren and two teachers, as a boat carrying 27 people overturned in Harni Lake on the outskirts of Vadodara in Gujarat. The tragic mishap occurred during a picnic when the boat, loaded well beyond its capacity, capsized, leading to a rescue operation by local authorities.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office have expressed their condolences, and an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF will be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured will receive ₹50,000. Gujarat Education Minister Kuber Dindor mentioned that the NDRF and fire brigade personnel have been deployed for the search and rescue operation.
Vadodara MP Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the tragedy. The rescued students have been transported to various hospitals, according to reports.
The boat, which had a seating capacity of 16, was carrying students from New Sunrise School in Panigate for a picnic around 4:30 pm. Unfortunately, it held 27 occupants at the time of the accident. The details about whether life jackets were worn remain unclear.
Expressing his distress, Prime Minister Modi’s office issued a statement, “Distressed by the loss of lives due to a boat capsizing at the Harni lake in Vadodara. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. May the injured recover soon.”
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel conveyed his condolences, emphasizing the heartbreaking nature of the incident. “The rescue operation of the students and teachers on board the boat is currently going on. The system has been instructed to provide immediate relief and treatment to the victims of the accident,” he stated on X.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted his condolences, urging the Gujarat government and administration to expedite relief and rescue operations. The exact cause of the mishap is under investigation, with authorities focusing on providing immediate support to the affected families and ensuring the safety of those involved in the rescue operation.
As the nation mourns the loss of young lives, questions surrounding the circumstances of the overloaded boat and the adherence to safety measures during the picnic will likely be thoroughly examined in the coming days.
Sources By Agencies