MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA – A woman clutching her four-year-old son was among nine people killed when a tourist cruise boat capsized in the Narmada River at Bargi Dam on April 30, prompting a massive rescue operation amid challenging weather and underwater conditions.
Rescuers from the army, National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force recovered the bodies near Khamariya Island, where strong winds and a seasonal cyclone triggered the accident. Officials reported 29 survivors receiving treatment, with searches ongoing for others still missing as the vessel remains lodged at a depth of nearly 6 meters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on social media, announcing 200,000 rupees ($2,700) from the National Relief Fund for each deceased victim’s family and 50,000 rupees for the injured. Rescue teams worked through rain and darkness using lights and specialized divers, facing poor visibility in their efforts to comb the site.
Madhya Pradesh Tourism Minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi ordered a probe into the tourism department-operated cruise, vowing strict action if negligence is found, including inadequate life jackets as alleged by some survivors. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav deployed multiple teams immediately, calling it a tragic outcome of sudden weather shifts.
Eyewitnesses described powerful gusts overwhelming the boat during routine recreational cruises at the dam, with conflicting reports on safety gear provided to passengers. Jabalpur authorities cautioned that the death toll may rise, pending completion of operations and a full investigation into the cause.