Mathura Boat Accident: Death Toll Climbs to 15 as Search for Missing Continues
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Mathura, April 13 (NationPress) The toll from the tragic boat accident in Mathura has now reached 15, as rescue teams recovered two additional bodies of missing individuals from the Yamuna River, according to officials on Monday.
One of the identified victims is Yash Bhalla, also recognized as Yuvraj, hailing from Punjab. The second victim has been named as Monica.
Yash Bhalla's remains were discovered along the riverbank near Devraha Baba Ghat, adjacent to Keshi Ghat, with reports indicating that the body was found in a severely damaged state.
A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was responsible for retrieving the bodies as part of the ongoing search efforts. The police have taken possession of the remains for a post-mortem examination.
Efforts are still ongoing to locate one last missing individual, with authorities deploying drones to assist in the search.
Personnel from the Army's Strike One Corps, along with NDRF teams, remain actively involved in the comprehensive search and recovery operations in the vicinity.
The unfortunate incident transpired on the afternoon of April 10 in Vrindavan, when a boat carrying tourists, predominantly from Punjab, capsized in the Yamuna.
Officials mentioned that the passengers were part of a larger group of approximately 150 pilgrims from Ludhiana and Muktsar districts who had come to visit Vrindavan.
The accident occurred near Keshi Ghat when the boat, which was transporting over two dozen individuals, drifted into deeper waters and collided with an object in the river.
Authorities noted that a pontoon bridge in the area had been recently dismantled due to rising water levels, leaving floating pontoon drums behind. It is believed that the boat may have struck one of these drums.