Ballia: Four people died in the early hours of Monday morning as a boat capsized in Maldepur, located under the jurisdiction of the Fafna police station in Ballia in Uttar Pradesh. The unfortunate incident resulted in the loss of four lives. The ill-fated boat was carrying approximately 40 passengers who were en route to perform prayers at the other end of the river Ganges as part of the Mundan Sanskar ceremony. However, disaster struck when the boat began to wobble and eventually overturned, plunging its occupants into the river.
The heart-wrenching cries for help from those drowning in the river prompted several local fishermen to spring into action. They fearlessly jumped into the water, determined to rescue the struggling victims. With the assistance of these courageous fishermen, some of the drowning individuals were immediately pulled to safety. However, the situation remained grim as reports began to emerge of numerous people still trapped in the treacherous currents of the Ganges.
Upon receiving news of the accident, authorities swiftly mobilized forces and divers from multiple police stations to the banks of the river. Their expertise and tireless efforts played a vital role in saving additional lives. Many of the rescued individuals were rushed to the district hospital, with several found unconscious.
Tragically, the emergency ward at the hospital confirmed the deaths of four women who had succumbed to drowning. A local resident said that four women were dead while three were injured and are being treated at a nearby hospital. The condition of a young man was reported to be critical, intensifying the sense of urgency in the ongoing rescue operation.
Preliminary investigations into the Ballia boat accident revealed that the vessel was carrying more passengers than its recommended capacity. Overcrowding is believed to be a significant contributing factor to the tragic incident. Among the deceased were women and children, further adding to the sorrow surrounding the calamity.
The local community was the first to become aware of the accident, and some individuals managed to swim to safety. However, there were others who remained unaccounted for, with a staggering 24 people reported missing. Authorities fear that the death toll may rise as the search and recovery efforts continue.
