PATNA: At least 13 people died after a boat capsized in the Ganga in Rampur Shyamchand panchayat under Raghopur police station limits in Vaishali district on Tuesday night.Seven people are undergoing treatment, while three to four others are still missing.The passengers, mostly children and young men, were travelling to attend a feast at the house of Singheshwar Rai near Mata Maharani Sthan in Bhagatan Tola when the small boat capsized midstream at around 8.30pm.After receiving information about the incident, local residents rushed to the spot and launched rescue efforts. Several people were pulled out of the water and taken to the primary health centre at Raghopur Fatehpur for treatmentPolice and administrative officials reached the spot after being alerted. An SDRF team, along with local divers, launched a rescue operation to trace those missing.The deceased included Pinky Kumari (13), daughter of Doman Rai; Ankita Kumari (6), and Sunita Kumari, daughters of Raj Kishore Rai; Aryan Kumar, son of Girdhari Rai; Alisha Kumari (18) and Siki Kumari, daughters of Suresh Rai; Bhonu Kumari, daughter of Rampravesh Rai; Meera Kumari, daughter of Lalu Rai; and Naman Kumar (10), son of Mukesh Rai. All were residents of Rampur Shyamchand village. The identities of the remaining deceased were yet to be confirmed, police said.Vaishali SP Shubhank Mishra, who also rushed to the spot, had earlier confirmed that five bodies had been recovered from the river and said that around four to five people were still missing. The death toll has since risen to 13, while rescue efforts continue to locate those unaccounted for.Mishra said, “Thirteen people have died and their bodies have been fished out. Three to four are still missing, and seven rescued people are undergoing treatment.Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the tragedy and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. In a post on his X handle, he said:“The news of the deaths of children in the boat accident in Raghopur, Vaishali, is extremely saddening and heartbreaking. In this difficult time, my deepest condolences are with the bereaved families. May God grant peace to the departed souls and give their families the strength to bear this immense loss. On behalf of the state government, financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each will be provided to the families of the deceased. The administration has been directed to expedite rescue and relief operations and ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.”RJD leader and Raghopur MLA Tejashwi Yadav also expressed grief over the incident.In a post on X, he said, “We have received the unfortunate and tragic news of a boat capsizing in the Raghopur Diyara area. Most of those who drowned are children. May God keep everyone safe. After discussions with local people, the administration, and officials, instructions have been given to expedite relief, rescue, and treatment operations.”
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