Bargi dam boat accident Jabalpur: This young survivor clung to her father while other family members swept away
A tragic boat capsize at Bargi Dam in Jabalpur leaves 9 dead and several missing after a sudden storm. Rescue operations by NDRF and SDRF are underway
Bargi dam boat accident Jabalpur: What began as a joyful outing for a family of six turned into a nightmare after a cruise boat capsized in the Bargi Dam on Friday evening. A young survivor recounted the horrifying moments when strong winds suddenly lashed Narmada River, causing the vessel to lose balance and fill rapidly with water.
Amid the chaos, she clung to her father while watching other family members being swept away. Her mother and brother remain untraceable, while her grandfather was later found.
Authorities confirmed that at least nine persons have lost their lives and several others are still missing. Rescue teams from the Army, NDRF and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed and are continuing search operations despite difficult conditions.
In a heartbreaking discovery, rescuers recovered the bodies of a woman and her son, still holding onto each other. The woman’s husband and daughter survived the incident. Another local resident reported that his wife, grandson and sister-in-law have not yet been located, raising fears as time passes.
Eyewitnesses said sudden gusts of wind turned the water rough, prompting passengers to urge the crew to return to shore. However, their warnings reportedly went unheard and the boat eventually drifted before overturning. Some passengers wearing life jackets were saved by nearby villagers using ropes.
State Tourism Minister Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi has ordered a detailed investigation into the incident, including scrutiny of safety measures such as the availability and use of life jackets. Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General Atul Singh stated that poor underwater visibility is hindering efforts to determine if more victims are trapped inside the vessel.
The government has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those who died from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, while the injured will receive Rs 50,000 as assistance.