13 Children Drown as Overcrowded Boat Capsizes in Bihar’s Ganges River

PATNA: Thirteen children aged 15 or below drowned on Tuesday evening when an overcrowded boat capsized in the Ganges river in Vaishali district of India’s Bihar state, officials said on Wednesday.

The Vaishali boat capsize happened at about 8:30pm near Rampur Shyamchand village in the Raghopur area, as the boat carried residents across the river to a feast in a neighbouring village. Vaishali District Magistrate Varsha Singh confirmed that 13 bodies had been recovered. At least six people were pulled out alive, two of them children reported to be in critical condition.

Local medic Nirmal Kumar said four children and two adults were rushed to the district hospital, but the 13 victims were already dead by the time help reached them.

How the Vaishali boat capsize unfolded

The passengers were residents of Rampur Shyamchand heading across the river to attend a Shradh feast. Eyewitness Ravi Yadav, who joined the rescue effort, said the vessel broke apart in the middle of the current. “The vessel gave way and sank in the middle of the current,” he said, adding that people were crammed onto a boat meant for far fewer.

Villagers rushed to the spot in the dark and tried to pull people out using mobile-phone lights and torches, along with traditional cots and ropes. “We managed to rescue only three children, using the light from mobile phones and torches, because it was dark,” Yadav said.

Singh estimated that 15 to 20 people were aboard, though the exact number of passengers had not been established. Local politician Tejashwi Yadav, who represents Raghopur in the Bihar assembly, put the figure closer to 30 and said he had been told 14 bodies had been recovered. Divers, local police, and teams from the state and national disaster response forces joined the search, which continued through the night.

Negligence allegations and official response

Yadav alleged that the Raghopur police post had been informed about the boat’s dilapidated condition but took no action, and that the district administration reached the site about an hour after being alerted. Residents shouted slogans against the administration when the district magistrate arrived at the hospital.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan, the Hajipur MP, visited the rescued children at Nalanda Medical College Hospital in Patna and warned of strict action against any official found guilty of negligence. “If there was negligence, the responsible officials will not be spared,” he said, adding that the central and state governments would ensure all possible help for the affected families. A police investigation into the cause has been launched, regional police officer Subodh Kumar said.

Compensation announced

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the tragedy and announced Rs4 lakh for each bereaved family, directing officials to speed up rescue operations and medical care for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed condolences and announced Rs2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased person, and Rs50,000 for those injured.

What happens next

Rescue teams continued searching the river on Wednesday for any missing passengers, while police questioned eyewitnesses to establish the exact number aboard and the cause of the capsize. Officials said the final casualty count could be revised as the search goes on.

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Where did the boat capsize happen?

The boat overturned in the Ganges near Rampur Shyamchand village in the Raghopur area of Vaishali district, Bihar, at about 8:30pm on Tuesday, October 13.

How many people died?

Thirteen children aged 15 or below were confirmed dead. At least six people were rescued alive, and the search for any missing passengers continued on Wednesday.

What caused the capsize?

The cause is under investigation. Officials point to overcrowding, while an eyewitness alleged the boat was in poor condition and the police had been warned earlier but took no action.

What compensation was announced?

Bihar’s chief minister announced Rs4 lakh for each bereaved family, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs2 lakh from the PM’s National Relief Fund for each victim’s family and Rs50,000 for the injured.