What Happened in the Bihar Boat Tragedy? CM Nitish Kumar Expresses Grief

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- One confirmed death and five missing in a boat accident.
- CM Nitish Kumar expressed condolences.
- Rescue operations are actively ongoing.
- Community safety measures are crucial.
- Investigation into the incident has been ordered.
Patna, Oct 10 (NationPress) In a shocking incident, a boat accident in Bihar's Aurangabad district resulted in one death and left five individuals unaccounted for. On Friday, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar conveyed his profound sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the families affected by this tragic event.
He has urged the authorities to provide immediate relief and compensation to the victims' families and to heighten the rescue efforts for those still unaccounted for.
The catastrophic event occurred on the banks of the Son river on Thursday morning, close to Badem village in the Navinagar block.
A boat overloaded with villagers returning from their agricultural fields capsized, transforming a normal crossing into a heartbreaking disaster.
Witnesses reported that the boat, which was carrying more than a dozen passengers, became unstable due to the weight and strong currents.
In mere moments, the vessel flipped, casting everyone into the turbulent waters.
While some managed to swim to safety, tragically, six individuals drowned, with five still missing.
Among the victims was 21-year-old Tamanna Parveen, daughter of Salim Ansari, a resident of Badem village.
Her body was the first to be retrieved, leading to heartbreaking scenes as her family expressed their grief.
Local divers, along with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), rushed to the scene and initiated rescue operations that continued throughout Thursday night.
Police and administrative officials also arrived to coordinate the search efforts.
Hundreds of villagers gathered along the riverbank as news of the tragedy spread, filling the air with cries of anguish.
"Villagers cross the Son river daily for farming in the Diara region or to gather fodder for their animals. Such accidents are frequent, but this loss is unbearable," remarked a local resident.
The banks of the Son river transformed into a mourning ground.
The district administration confirmed that the search for the missing villagers is ongoing.
Authorities have begun the process of providing ex-gratia compensation to the victims' families and have ordered an investigation into the incident.