The death toll in the boat capsize tragedy in the Yamuna River at Mathura rose to 11 on Saturday after one more body was recovered during an ongoing search operation, while the operator of the vessel has been arrested, officials said.
The incident occurred near Kesi Ghat in Vrindavan on Friday afternoon when a boat carrying over two dozen tourists capsized after colliding with a floating object in the river.
According to Bhudev Prasad, in-charge of the Health department’s Rapid Response Team, the latest body was recovered near Devraha Baba Ghat, around one kilometre from the accident site. The deceased was identified as Manik Tandon (42), a resident of Ludhiana.
Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Pankaj Kumar Verma confirmed the recovery and said search efforts remain underway for the missing. Citing inputs from the National Disaster Response Force, he said operations are currently focused within a 14-kilometre radius, though there is a possibility that victims may have been swept further downstream.
So far, 22 people have been rescued, while four remain missing. Personnel from the Army’s Strike One Corps and the NDRF have been engaged in the search operation for over 20 hours.
Also read: 10 killed as tourist boat capsizes in Vrindavan
Officials said the boat involved in the incident has been retrieved and no bodies were found trapped underneath it.
Police have arrested the boat operator, identified as Pappu, late on Friday night. According to Sanjay Pandey, he allegedly failed to provide life jackets to passengers and continued operating the vessel at high speed despite objections, leading to loss of control and collision.
Authorities said the boat is believed to have hit a floating pontoon drum left behind after a temporary bridge was dismantled due to rising water levels. However, some locals claimed that strong winds caused the vessel to sway violently before it struck the structure and overturned.
Deputy Inspector General (Agra range) Shailesh Kumar Pandey said the condition of those injured is stable and that post-mortem examinations are nearly complete. Arrangements are being made to send the bodies of the deceased to their native places.
An inquiry will be initiated after the rescue operation concludes, officials added.
Meanwhile, Mathura MP Hema Malini expressed grief over the tragedy. “I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of life. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families in this hour of grief. I pray to Lord Krishna for the speedy recovery of those injured and for strength for the families of the deceased,” she said.
The victims were part of a larger group of around 150 pilgrims from Ludhiana and Muktsar in Punjab who had travelled to Vrindavan.
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