Tragic Boat Capsize in Mathura: Search Continues for Missing Devotees
Search Operations Ongoing After Boat Capsize
Mathura: A tragic incident occurred in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura district on Friday, where a boat carrying devotees capsized, resulting in the deaths of at least ten individuals and leaving several others injured. As of Saturday, authorities are still searching for five individuals who remain unaccounted for.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) for Agra, Shailesh Kumar Pandey, informed the media that search and rescue efforts have been ongoing, involving teams from the NDRF, SDRF, local police, fire brigade, and local divers, alongside district administration personnel.
The DIG noted, "Five individuals are still missing from the group, and some may have drowned. We are actively searching for them." He also mentioned the difficulty in recovering the overturned boat, which was lodged in a muddy area. "Efforts have been made for several hours to dislodge the boat to rescue anyone who might be trapped beneath it," he stated.
Fortunately, the capsized boat has now been retrieved from the site. "We have not discovered any bodies on or under the boat. Our search will continue, and we aim to locate the missing individuals as soon as possible," he added.
Regarding the injured, the DIG confirmed that all are currently out of danger and receiving treatment.
Furthermore, he emphasized that a thorough investigation will be conducted to identify any shortcomings and to implement necessary safety measures. "Strict legal action will be pursued against those who failed to adhere to safety protocols," he remarked.
In a show of solidarity, Congress MP Manish Tewari expressed his condolences to the victims' families, stating, "This is a deeply saddening incident that warrants investigation. My thoughts are with the families affected."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his sorrow over the incident, stating he was "deeply pained" by the tragedy. He extended his condolences to the bereaved families and wished for the swift recovery of the injured, assuring that local authorities are providing assistance to those impacted.