Banswara boat capsize: Two missing in Mahi river, including 8-year-old
Synopsis
A boat carrying 10 devotees returning from the Sangameshwar Mahadev Temple capsized in Rajasthan's Mahi river, leaving a 21-year-old and an 8-year-old missing. No life jackets were provided, the boatman reportedly fled, and the site sits at a treacherous three-river confluence — raising urgent questions about safety at religious river crossings.
Key Takeaways
A 10-passenger boat capsized in the Mahi river near Bhaisau village, Banswara on 5 May 2025 at approximately 3 pm .
Two persons are missing: Jayesh (21) and Manav (8) , both residents of Bhano Ka Pada village .
Eight people , including the boatman, swam to safety; the boatman reportedly fled the scene .
No life jackets were provided; officials suspect overcrowding contributed to the capsize.
Rescue teams from police, Civil Defence, and SDRF — along with local divers and fishermen — are conducting a search using two boats .
The accident site is at the confluence of the Mahi, Anas, and Jakham rivers, known for strong currents.
A boat carrying 10 people capsized in the Mahi river near Bhaisau village in Banswara, Rajasthan, on Tuesday, 5 May, leaving two persons — 21-year-old Jayesh and eight-year-old Manav — missing. Eight others, including the boatman, managed to swim to safety, according to officials. Rescue operations involving police, Civil Defence, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are actively underway at the site.
How the Accident Unfolded
The incident occurred around 3 pm near Bhaisau village under the Arthuna police station limits. The boat overturned approximately 200 metres from the riverbank. All passengers were residents of Bhano Ka Pada village and had visited the Sangameshwar Mahadev Temple for prayers. After the temple visit, the group boarded the boat on the river when the accident took place.
Notably, preliminary information indicates that none of the passengers were provided with life jackets. Officials suspect overcrowding may have contributed to the capsize. The boatman reportedly fled the site after the incident, raising further questions about accountability.
The Search Operation
Banswara Superintendent of Police Sudhir Joshi confirmed that police personnel have been deployed and SDRF teams are actively searching for the missing individuals. A team of around 10 members is conducting the search using two boats, with operations set to continue till nightfall. Local divers, villagers, and fishermen have also joined the effort to locate the victims and the submerged boat, which has not yet been recovered.
A Treacherous Confluence
The accident site lies at a river confluence where the Mahi, Anas, and Jakham rivers meet — a stretch known for unpredictable currents. The Sangameshwar Mahadev Temple, a popular religious site in Banswara, remains submerged for nearly eight months every year due to rising water levels, drawing devotees during the brief window when it is accessible.
Concern Among Families
Family members of the missing — particularly the family of young Manav — are anxiously awaiting updates at the site. This incident follows a pattern of boating accidents at religious river sites across Rajasthan, where safety protocols such as life jackets and passenger limits are reportedly flouted. Authorities have not yet announced any action against the boatman or the operators of the vessel.
Search operations are expected to resume at first light if the two missing persons are not located before nightfall.
Point of View
No life jackets, an overcrowded boat, and a boatman who fled. The Sangameshwar Mahadev Temple draws large numbers of visitors during its brief accessible window each year, yet safety infrastructure at such sites remains chronically absent. Rajasthan's river tourism and pilgrimage circuits urgently need enforceable life-jacket mandates and passenger limits, not just post-incident SDRF deployments. The boatman's reported flight from the scene also points to a culture of zero accountability that enables repeat incidents.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Banswara boat capsize on 5 May 2025?
A boat carrying 10 people capsized in the Mahi river near Bhaisau village in Banswara, Rajasthan, on 5 May 2025 at around 3 pm. Two persons — 21-year-old Jayesh and 8-year-old Manav — went missing, while eight others, including the boatman, swam to safety.
Who are the missing persons in the Banswara boat accident?
The two missing persons are Jayesh, aged 21, and Manav, aged 8, both residents of Bhano Ka Pada village in Banswara. They were among a group that had visited the Sangameshwar Mahadev Temple before boarding the boat.
What caused the Mahi river boat capsize in Banswara?
Officials suspect overcrowding as a likely contributing factor. Preliminary information also indicates that none of the passengers were provided with life jackets. The accident occurred at a confluence of three rivers — the Mahi, Anas, and Jakham — known for unpredictable currents.
What rescue operations are underway after the Banswara boat accident?
Teams from the police, Civil Defence, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed at the site. A 10-member team is conducting the search using two boats, with local divers and fishermen also assisting. Operations were set to continue till nightfall and resume at dawn if needed.
What is the Sangameshwar Mahadev Temple and why is it significant to this incident?
The Sangameshwar Mahadev Temple is a religious site in Banswara located at the confluence of the Mahi, Anas, and Jakham rivers. It remains submerged for nearly eight months each year, drawing large crowds of devotees during its accessible period — the same conditions that contributed to the overcrowded boat ride that ended in tragedy.
