Ganga Tragedy: Overloaded Boat Capsizes with 31 Onboard, One Dead, Three Still Missing
Jharkhand (The Uttam Hindu): A tragic boating accident occurred early Saturday morning in Jharkhand’s Sahibganj district, where an overcrowded boat carrying 31 people capsized in the Ganga River. At least four young men went missing after the incident, with the body of one victim recovered while three remain unaccounted for.
The incident took place around 7:30 a.m. in the Gadai Diara area under the Ganga River police station limits. According to reports, 28 people managed to swim to safety, but four youths—belonging to the tribal community—were swept away by the river’s strong currents. One of them, identified as Kaha Hansda, was pulled out by local villagers but was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.
The victims, reportedly from a village near the Binduwasni temple in the Barharwa block, had crossed the river early in the morning from the Ranga area to hunt rodents—a seasonal activity during monsoons when the animals emerge from flooded burrows. However, while returning, the boat became overloaded as additional villagers boarded, increasing the total count to 31 passengers. Unable to bear the excess weight, and with the river flowing forcefully due to the rains, the boat lost balance and capsized midstream.
Panic erupted as passengers screamed for help. Only those who could swim reached the shore, while others were swept under. Rescue efforts began immediately with the help of locals, and the district administration dispatched divers and emergency teams to the site. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed from Bihta, Patna, to assist with the search and recovery operation.
Sahibganj Deputy Commissioner Hemant Sati confirmed the deployment of NDRF and stated that the team will remain in the district until flood conditions stabilize. The body of Kaha Hansda is being taken to the district hospital for post-mortem. The incident has plunged the local community into mourning, with family members and villagers in deep shock. Authorities have assured full support and relief to the affected families.