Patna: Number of dead in Patna boat tragedy rose to 24 after five more bodies were recovered by the rescuers this morning. A boat carrying 40 people capsized in the Ganga river near Patna on Saturday evening, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had expressed his grief over the accident on Saturday, announced compensation for the victims this morning.
According to the officials, the accident occurred around 6 pm on Saturday evening when an overcrowded boat - which had taken people for a free ride from the Ganga Ghat - was returning from a kite flying festival, organised as part of Makar Sankranti by the state Tourism Department.
The boat capsized either due to overloading or mid-water collision with another country boat, Patna District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Aggarwal told reporters yesterday.
Rescue operations were hampered last night since it was already dark by the time.
Patna District Magistrate Sanjay Agarwal and district police officials are camping at the site, reported news agency IANS.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered an inquiry into the accident and told officials to look into the lapses that led to the incident. He has also ordered the district administration to provide compensation to the families of the dead.
After the tragedy, Mr Kumar's party Janata Dal (United) has also cancelled the special lunch they were organising today for all the political parties on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
PM Modi, who had "extended condolences to the bereaved families" in a tweet on Saturday, announced a compensation for the victims this morning.
PM has also "approved Rs. 50,000 for those seriously injured in the boat tragedy in Bihar", his tweet said.
Further festivities in the Ganga Diara area have been called off.
(With inputs from agencies)
According to the officials, the accident occurred around 6 pm on Saturday evening when an overcrowded boat - which had taken people for a free ride from the Ganga Ghat - was returning from a kite flying festival, organised as part of Makar Sankranti by the state Tourism Department.
Rescue operations were hampered last night since it was already dark by the time.
Advertisement
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered an inquiry into the accident and told officials to look into the lapses that led to the incident. He has also ordered the district administration to provide compensation to the families of the dead.
Advertisement
PM Modi, who had "extended condolences to the bereaved families" in a tweet on Saturday, announced a compensation for the victims this morning.
PM has also "approved Rs. 50,000 for those seriously injured in the boat tragedy in Bihar", his tweet said.
Advertisement
(With inputs from agencies)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
2 Sisters Swept Away In Ganga Trying To Save Brother From Drowning In Uttarakhand 5 Years, Rs 300 Crore And 5,000 Visas - Fake Document Unit Busted In Delhi On Camera, Afghan-Origin Gym Owner Shot Dead In Posh Delhi Neighbourhood 9 Dead, 2,800 Hurt As Pagers Explode Across Lebanon, Hezbollah Blames Israel IndiGo Flight Tailstrike Leaves Huge Dent During Take-Off From Delhi Airport "Wear Proper Undergarments": Delta Airlines' New Memo For Flight Attendants Russian Group Behind Fake Kamala Harris Hit-And-Run Story: Microsoft Live Updates: J&K To Vote In First Assembly Elections In A Decade Today Donald Trump Says He Will Meet PM Modi Next Week Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.