At the time of the tragedy, more than 30 passengers were on board the boat. As the storm intensified, the waves surged, causing the boat to lose its balance. Within moments, the boat pitched violently and capsized, resulting in dozens of tourists drowning in the deep waters of the dam.
मध्य प्रदेश: जबलपुर में बरगी डैम में पर्यटक नाव पलटी, मृतक संख्या बढ़कर सात हुई, 18 लापता, बचाव अभियान जारी
On Thursday evening in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, a tourist boat capsized in the Bargi Dam following a sudden and severe storm, resulting in the drowning of several people on board. Four lives were lost in this tragedy, while 18 passengers remain missing; a search operation to locate them is currently underway. Meanwhile, the administration has reported that 18 individuals have been rescued.
The incident occurred near Khamariya Island—a popular tourist destination situated within the vast backwaters of the Narmada River—when sudden strong winds and stormy weather engulfed the region. According to reports, there were over 30 passengers on the boat at the time of the tragedy. As the storm intensified, the waves grew violent, causing the boat to lose its balance. Within moments, the boat began to lurch violently before capsizing, plunging dozens of tourists into the deep waters of the dam.
Rescue operations were launched immediately upon receiving the information. The Bargi Police and a specialized team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) arrived at the scene to conduct search operations amidst extremely challenging conditions. Anjul Ayank Mishra, the City Superintendent of Police for the Bargi Zone, confirmed that four bodies have been recovered from the water so far. Thanks to the swift intervention of emergency teams and local divers, 18 people were successfully rescued; however, a significant number of passengers remain missing. Approximately 18 individuals are still unaccounted for, though passenger details are being cross-referenced against survivor statements and available records, leading to continuous updates in the official figures.
The Bargi Dam is a major hub for water tourism in Madhya Pradesh, and evening boating excursions constitute a primary attraction for tourists visiting the region. Eyewitnesses reported that the sky began to darken and strong winds swept across the reservoir, creating a chaotic situation and leaving the crew with very little time to reach a safe location. Officials have stated that the primary cause of the boat’s capsizing appears to be the extreme severity of the weather conditions, which rendered the vessel unable to remain upright amidst the turbulent waters. The rescue operation continues, despite the logistical challenges posed by diminishing light and the vast expanse of the dam. Divers are conducting search operations in the vicinity of Khamariya Island, focusing on the submerged boat and the surrounding currents.
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