Search and rescue operations are ongoing at Bargi Dam in Jabalpur following the capsizing of a cruise boat on January 31, resulting in four fatalities, officials confirmed.
Authorities reported that 15 people have been rescued, while efforts continue to locate others believed to be missing.
Jabalpur Collector Raghvendra Singh stated, “Cruises operate in Bargi Dam for recreational activities. One of the cruises capsized today. Of the 29 people onboard, 15 were safely rescued. Bodies of four people have been traced. We have sent the bodies for postmortem. SDRF and NDRF are here and carrying out the operation. Rescue operation is ongoing.”
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are actively engaged in the rescue efforts.
Eyewitnesses suggested that strong winds contributed to the accident. Samrat, an eyewitness, said, “It was really windy. We told the boat operator to come to the other end, but he paid no heed. It started for the other side but capsized in the middle of the dam. A few people in life jackets jumped off the boat… We safely rescued about 15-16 people… We rushed them to the hospital. The bodies were taken away.”
Another eyewitness, Tuhin, added, “We were sitting here after having a meal. It was windy. The boat was shaking. People told the boat operator to pull the boat to our side and anchor it here. But he paid no heed. He took the boat in the middle of the water once again, and it capsized. We helped a few people in coming out… I rescued 5-6 people.”
Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla described the incident as “heart-rending and unfortunate”, adding, “SDRF and Police team are present… A probe will be done to find out the causes behind the incident…”