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A boat carrying passengers to a village feast capsized in Bihar's Vaishali district, killing at least 13 people. Officials confirmed all victims were aged 15 or younger.
At least 13 people, all of whom were children aged 15 or younger, died after a boat capsized in India's Ganges River in the eastern state of Bihar. The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Vaishali district while the vessel was transporting passengers to a feast in a neighboring village.
The boat overturned in the central district of Vaishali, according to District Magistrate Varsha Singh. Reports indicate the vessel was carrying between 15 and 20 people at the time of the accident. While the exact number of passengers aboard has not been fully confirmed, Singh stated that all 13 victims were aged 15 or younger.
The Hindu newspaper quoted locals as saying the feast had been organized at the home of a person named Singheshwar Rai, near the Mata Maharani Sthan in Bhagtan Tola. The boat was traveling to this event when it capsized.
Six people were rescued from the water. District Magistrate Varsha Singh said the survivors were referred to the Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) for medical care. Regional police officer Subodh Kumar confirmed the number of survivors to Reuters on Wednesday and stated that police are investigating the cause of the incident.
Rescue operations continued as authorities worked to determine the full circumstances of the accident.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced compensation for the families of the victims. In a statement, Modi wrote: "The loss of lives in the boat capsizing incident in Vaishali, Bihar, is deeply painful.”
He added, "My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this difficult time."
This incident highlights the ongoing safety concerns regarding river transport in rural India, where boats are a common mode of travel for community events. The high number of child casualties has drawn national attention and prompted immediate government response, including financial compensation for the affected families.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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