At least 13 people, including eight children, died after a boat capsized in the Ganga River near Rampur Shyamchand village in Vaishali district, Bihar, on Tuesday, 14 October 2026. The victims were reportedly travelling to attend a feast when the vessel overturned under the Raghopur police station area. Rescue teams were still searching for missing persons as of Wednesday.

What Happened

According to preliminary reports, between 15 and 20 people were on board the boat when it capsized. Around half a dozen people were also reported injured, while the exact passenger count and final casualty figure remain subject to official confirmation. The damaged boat, which had reportedly been temporarily repaired using plastic sheets, was later recovered from the river.

The incident triggered immediate panic in the area, prompting both local residents and district administration to launch rescue efforts. Residents used ropes tied to wooden logs and bamboo poles to retrieve bodies from the river.

Rescue Operation

On Wednesday, SDRF teams deployed six boats to continue the search operation in the Ganga. The rescue effort is ongoing, with authorities working to determine whether any passengers remain unaccounted for. The final casualty count has not yet been officially confirmed.

Government Response and Relief

Bihar Minister Ram Kripal Yadav expressed condolences over the incident and urged Opposition Leader Tejashwi Yadav — whose constituency Raghopur covers the affected area — to visit and offer condolences to the bereaved families. 'Raghopur is the Leader of the Opposition's constituency. The incident is tragic, and he should visit the area to express condolences to the affected families, as he is their representative. I believe he is somewhere outside and will return soon,' the minister said.

BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi described the incident as deeply tragic and confirmed that the government had announced relief measures. 'It is a tragic incident in which several people, including innocent children, have died. The BJP expresses its condolences. The Prime Minister, BJP National President and Chief Minister have also expressed their condolences. Government relief has been announced, and an investigation will be conducted into why the boat was operating at night. Action will be taken against those found responsible,' Saraogi said.

Janata Dal (United) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan announced that Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary had decided to provide an ex-gratia of ₹4 lakh to the families of the deceased. Compensation will also be extended to families of the injured. 'This is a heartbreaking, extremely tragic and painful incident. Innocent children have lost their lives, and the loss is irreparable for their families,' Ranjan said.

Investigation Under Way

Authorities are expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident, with a key focus on why the boat was operating at night and the condition of the vessel. The discovery of a boat reportedly patched with plastic sheets has raised serious questions about safety oversight and enforcement of river transport regulations in the state. Notably, boat accidents on the Ganga in Bihar have recurred over the years, often linked to overloading and poorly maintained vessels.

As the rescue operation continues, the full scale of the tragedy may not be known until all passengers are officially accounted for.