Mathura Boat Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 11, Four Missing; Operator Arrested.
Mathura:
The death toll in the tragic boat capsize in the Yamuna River in Mathura has risen to 11, with four people still reported missing, as extensive search and rescue operations continue for the second consecutive day.
According to officials, the incident occurred around 3:00 pm on Friday near a pontoon bridge between Vrindavan and Mant when a boat carrying tourists overturned in the Yamuna River. The accident has triggered a large-scale rescue effort involving multiple agencies.
Superintendent of Police Suresh Chand Rawat confirmed that one more body was recovered on Saturday, approximately 800 metres from the accident site, taking the death toll to 11. The deceased has been identified as Manik Tandon, a resident of Ludhiana. Officials said post-mortem procedures have been completed, and legal formalities are underway.
Health department Rapid Response Team in-charge Bhudev Prasad stated that the body was found near Devraha Baba Ghat, nearly one kilometre from where the boat capsized. Additional District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar Verma said search operations are currently being conducted across a 14-kilometre stretch of the river, though authorities fear that some victims may have been carried further downstream due to strong currents.
So far, 22 passengers have been rescued, and the condition of the injured is reported to be stable. Rescue efforts, which have been ongoing for over 20 hours, involve more than 20 teams, including eight units of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), five teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), three units of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), personnel from the Army’s Strike One Corps, and six teams of private divers.
Officials confirmed that the boat involved in the accident has been retrieved, and no bodies were found trapped underneath it. Authorities are continuing intensive search operations in challenging river conditions.
Police have arrested the boat operator, identified as Pappu, for alleged negligence. According to officials, he failed to provide life jackets to passengers and continued operating the boat at high speed despite warnings. The vessel reportedly lost control and collided with a floating pontoon structure, leading to the accident.
Preliminary findings suggest that a recently dismantled pontoon bridge in the area had left behind floating drums in the river due to rising water levels. Authorities suspect that the boat struck one such drum. However, some locals claimed that strong winds may have destabilized the boat before it collided and overturned.
The ill-fated boat was carrying over two dozen tourists, most of whom were from Punjab. They were part of a larger group of nearly 150 pilgrims from Ludhiana and Muktsar visiting Vrindavan.
Deputy Inspector General (Agra Range) Shailesh Kumar Pandey said post-mortem examinations are nearing completion, and arrangements are being made to send the corpse to their respective hometowns. He added that a formal inquiry committee will be constituted after the rescue operation concludes.
Mathura Member of Parliament Hema Malini expressed deep grief over the incident, offering condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.
The tragedy has once again raised serious concerns over safety measures and regulatory enforcement in tourist boat operations across the region.
