A tragic boat accident at Bargi Dam has left nine people dead after a cruise vessel capsized in sudden stormy conditions on the Narmada River. A video recorded moments before the incident shows tourists enjoying cool weather and strong breezes, unaware of the danger that was rapidly building.
The footage, now widely circulated on social media, captures passengers relaxing on the boat as gusty winds sweep across the water. Within minutes, however, the weather turned severe. Strong winds and choppy waters caused the vessel to lose balance and overturn.
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Disturbingly, several passengers were not wearing life jackets at the time of the incident. Officials later said that while some managed to put on safety gear, helping save lives, many were left vulnerable. Around 25 people survived, largely due to the timely use of life jackets during the chaos.
The accident occurred on Thursday evening when a sudden storm hit the area. Rescue operations were immediately launched by teams from the Army, NDRF, and SDRF. So far, 28 passengers have been rescued, while at least six remain missing. Low visibility and challenging conditions continue to hamper search efforts, with authorities fearing more victims may still be trapped.
Deputy Inspector General Atul Singh stated that the submerged vessel would be retrieved only after ensuring no passengers remain inside. Eyewitnesses revealed that some passengers had warned the crew about worsening weather, but the boat continued before capsizing.
Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced compensation for the victims’ families. The state government has suspended similar cruise operations and ordered a detailed probe into safety lapses.
