Mathura boat tragedy: Death toll mounts to 15 as bodies of Ludhiana's Yash Bhalla and Monica Tandon recovered
Mathura boat tragedy: The search and rescue operation following the tragic boat capsize in Vrindavan entered its fourth day on Monday, with authorities recovering two more bodies from the Yamuna, taking the death toll to 15.
According to officials, the bodies were found around 8 am at locations nearly 12 km away from the accident site. The bodies had surfaced after decomposing and were retrieved by tying ropes and pulling them onto boats. Both victims were later identified by their families.The deceased have been identified as 22-year-old Yash Bhalla from Ludhiana, Punjab, and Monica Tandon from Dugri locality in Ludhiana.
Yash, who had visited Vrindavan for the first time, was associated with a religious group linked to Banke Bihari Temple and used to play the dholak during devotional gatherings. A video recorded moments before the incident shows him playing the instrument onboard the ill-fated boat. He is survived by his parents and an elder brother who works as an accountant. His father earns a livelihood by selling clothes on a street cart.
Monica Tandon, who had been married just six months ago, had travelled to Vrindavan with her mother-in-law, Savita. Her husband is currently abroad and she was expected to join him soon. At the time of the accident, she was seated with her neighbour, Dinky, whose body was recovered a day earlier.
Meanwhile, one devotee, identified as Pankaj Malhotra (40), remains missing. He worked as a manager in a steel company in Himachal Pradesh.
The incident occurred on Friday around 3 pm when a boat carrying 38 pilgrims capsized in the Yamuna, approximately 2 km from the famous Banke Bihari Temple. Rescue teams comprising personnel from the Army, NDRF, and SDRF, along with local authorities are continuing the search operation across a 20-km stretch of the river.
The police have arrested the accused boatman, Pappu Nishad, and pontoon bridge contractor Narayan Sharma.
A survivor recounted that the boat was about 50 feet from the riverbank when strong winds, estimated at 40 kmph, began to rock it. Despite warnings from passengers about the approaching bridge, the boatman allegedly failed to take action. The vessel narrowly avoided collision twice but struck the bridge on the third attempt, leading to its capsizing.
- With inputs from agencies
