At least 13 children drowned after a boat capsized in the Ganga River near Rampur Shyamchand village in the Raghopur police station area of Bihar's Vaishali district on Tuesday evening, 14 October 2026. Search operations are ongoing for passengers still reported missing. The tragedy has plunged the village into mourning, with seven of the thirteen deceased children reportedly belonging to a single family.

What Happened

According to preliminary reports, a group of approximately 20 to 30 people had boarded the boat to attend a feast in a neighbouring village, crossing the Ganga and a nearby low-lying waterlogged area locally known as a dhab. The boat reportedly lost equilibrium upon reaching the main current of the river and overturned, throwing all passengers into the water.

Villagers alleged that the boat was old and in poor condition, and claimed that requests for its replacement had been submitted to authorities earlier — but no action was taken. There are also suspicions that the vessel may have been carrying passengers beyond its holding capacity. However, the exact cause of the accident and the boat's condition remain subject to official investigation.

Rescue and Relief Efforts

Cries for help from the river triggered immediate panic in the area. Local residents rushed to the spot and launched initial rescue efforts before the district administration, police, and teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) joined the operation. Local divers also assisted in the search for missing passengers. Injured survivors were transported to NMCH for further treatment.

The Human Cost

Seven of the deceased children were reportedly from the family of Rampravesh Rai, also known as Raja, a resident of Rampur Shyamchand village. The concentration of loss within a single household has deepened the grief across the community. Authorities are working to confirm the exact number of passengers on board and establish whether anyone remains missing.

Political Response

Union Minister Chirag Paswan expressed grief over the deaths, describing the incident in Raghopur Diyara — which falls within his parliamentary constituency — as deeply distressing. Paswan said he had spoken to the District Magistrate to seek details on the rescue operation and to discuss assistance for affected families through both the Bihar and central governments. He also announced that he would visit the accident site to meet the bereaved families and enquire about the condition of the injured.

The Bihar Congress also conveyed its condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for peace for the souls of the departed children. Angry residents staged protests against the district administration in the aftermath of the tragedy.

What Comes Next

Authorities have yet to confirm the final casualty count and the number of passengers still unaccounted for. The circumstances leading to the capsizing remain under investigation. The incident renews scrutiny of ferry safety standards on the Ganga in Bihar, where river crossings remain a daily necessity for riverside communities.