Bargi dam boat accident Jabalpur: Mother and child found in final hug, 9 dead, rescue operations continue
Bargi dam boat accident Jabalpur: A devastating river cruise accident at Bargi Dam in Madhya Pradesh has left at least nine persons dead, with several others still missing after a sudden storm overturned a tourist boat on Thursday evening.
In one of the most heartbreaking moments from the tragedy, rescue teams on Friday recovered the bodies of a mother and her four-year-old son. The two were found locked in a final hug, with a life jacket still strapped around them, a sight that left onlookers and rescuers deeply shaken.
Family members present at the site broke down in tears. Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Rakesh Singh, who visited the spot, was also visibly emotional and struggled to control his grief.
The accident occurred when a river cruise carrying around 30 passengers capsized in the Bargi Dam reservoir after being caught in a sudden and powerful storm. So far, 22 persons have been rescued, while search operations continue for those still unaccounted for.
According to officials, strong winds swept across the reservoir around 6 pm on Thursday, turning the waters rough and unstable. Eyewitnesses said passengers repeatedly urged the crew to return to shore as conditions worsened, but the boat drifted further before overturning.
Some locals rushed to help and managed to pull a few passengers to safety using ropes, especially those wearing life jackets. However, several others drowned in the chaos.
A survivor has alleged serious lapses in safety arrangements, claiming that life jackets were not provided to all passengers on board.
Speaking at the site, minister Rakesh Singh said the exact sequence of events would become clearer once the rescue operation concludes. He added that the reason why some passengers could not be saved, even with safety gear, would also be examined in detail.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed deep sorrow over the incident and assured full support to the affected families. He said the state government stood with the victims “with complete sensitivity” and that every effort was being made to trace the missing persons.
Tourism Minister Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi announced that a detailed investigation will be conducted after the rescue operation concludes, and strict action will be taken against those found responsible for any negligence.
Rescue teams from SDRF, local police and administrative units continue intensive operations as the search for survivors and bodies goes on in challenging conditions.
- With inputs from agencies
