What Happened in West Champaran? Boat Capsizes, 2 Girls Missing
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Synopsis
A heart-wrenching boat accident in Bihar has left two young girls missing, triggering a massive search operation. As the community grapples with this tragedy, the questions surrounding safety and overcrowding on boats in the region come to the forefront. Will the missing children be found in time?
Key Takeaways
- Accident Location: West Champaran, Bihar
- Victims: Two girls, aged 17 and 8, are missing
- Search Efforts: Ongoing by local divers and SDRF
- Boat Overcrowding: The boat was carrying more than its capacity
- Community Impact: Local families are in distress after the accident
Patna, Dec 1 (NationPress) A significant boat tragedy occurred in the West Champaran district of Bihar when a small vessel, carrying over 15 passengers, capsized near Koir Patti Ghat in the Bairia block.
The event sparked widespread panic among the locals. Villagers and local divers successfully rescued several individuals from the river, but tragically, two girls — a 17-year-old and an 8-year-old — remain unaccounted for.
The boat has fully submerged, and search efforts by the local administration and villagers are currently in progress.
Reports indicate that the Bairia residents were returning from the Diara area after gathering fodder for their livestock.
In the darkness, the overcrowded boat collided with a larger vessel, resulting in it capsizing. This sudden mishap caused chaos as passengers plunged into the river.
Divers from both vessels, along with community members, managed to rescue numerous men and women from the water.
Unfortunately, 17-year-old Punita Kumari, daughter of Dharam Yadav, and 8-year-old Sugi Kumari, daughter of Ramesh Yadav, are still missing.
Local divers and a team from the SDRF are actively searching, but the ongoing darkness is hindering their operations.
The completely submerged boat has yet to be recovered.
Bairia Police Station Officer Anuj Kumar Singh stated, “The boat was small and exceeded its capacity significantly. The river's depth in the accident area is considerable, which contributed to this serious incident. Two girls are believed to have drowned, and the SDRF team is on the lookout for them.”
Locals mentioned that approximately 15 to 20 passengers — all inhabitants of Pakhanaha Dumaria Ward Nos. 11 and 8 of Bairia Block — boarded the boat despite it being rated for only 5 to 6 passengers. Relief and rescue teams are still present, continuing the search for the two missing children.
The families of the missing girls are devastated. The whole community is in shock and disbelief following this tragic event.
Point of View
The incident underscores the critical need for stringent safety regulations regarding passenger boats. Such tragic occurrences highlight the vulnerabilities faced by local communities and the urgent need for solutions to prevent overcrowding and ensure the safety of passengers.
NationPress
01/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the boat to capsize?
The boat capsized after colliding with a larger vessel while being overcrowded with more passengers than its capacity.
How many people were on the boat?
The small boat was carrying over 15 passengers, despite being rated for only 5 to 6.
Are the authorities involved in the search?
Yes, local divers and a team from the SDRF are conducting search operations for the missing girls.
What is the current status of the search?
The search is ongoing, but efforts are hampered by darkness.
How are the families of the missing girls coping?
The families are devastated and the entire community is in shock following this tragic incident.
