The death toll in the tragic boat capsize incident on the Yamuna River in Vrindavan has climbed to 15, following the recovery of two additional bodies on Monday, officials confirmed. The incident, which occurred on Friday, involved a boat carrying over three dozen tourists, primarily from Punjab, that overturned near Kesi Ghat in Vrindavan.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that a woman’s body was discovered in the Bangali Ghat area of Mathura during a search operation. She has been identified as Monika. The second body recovered was near Devaraha Baba Ghat in Vrindavan, identified as Yash alias Yuvraj Bhalla, aged 22.
Yash Bhalla, a student, was reportedly a participant in a pilgrimage and had joined the group with the intention of playing the ‘dholak’ for the ‘bhajan’ troupe of the ‘Shri Banke Bihari Club’ in Jagraon, Ludhiana. Video footage recorded shortly before the accident shows him playing a ‘dhol’ alongside devotees engaged in singing hymns.
Authorities are still searching for one individual, Pankaj Malhotra, aged 40, a resident of Jagraon, who was also on the ill-fated boat. With the recovery of Monika and Yash Bhalla, bodies of all other missing persons have been retrieved. Malhotra, who was employed as a manager at a steel company in Himachal Pradesh, remains unaccounted for, and search efforts for him are ongoing.
The boat, reportedly carrying more than 30 tourists, struck a pontoon bridge’s floating drum before capsizing. The majority of the victims hailed from the Jagraon and Dugri areas within Ludhiana district, Punjab. This detail underscores the significant impact the tragedy has had on communities in that region.
In response to the disaster, extensive search and rescue operations have been mobilized. Eight teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and two teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been actively involved. They are supported by six teams of divers from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), working tirelessly to locate any remaining missing individuals and to assist in the recovery efforts.
The precise cause of the capsize is under investigation, but initial reports suggest the boat collided with a pontoon bridge structure. The local administration has been coordinating with various agencies to manage the rescue and recovery operations and to provide support to the affected families. The incident has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations for water transport, particularly in crowded tourist areas.
The recovered bodies are being identified and processed according to standard procedures. Families of the victims have been informed, and arrangements are being made for the repatriation of remains to their native places. The community in Jagraon and surrounding areas of Ludhiana has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life.
Further details regarding the inquiry into the boat’s capacity, condition, and the exact circumstances leading to the collision are expected to emerge as investigations progress. Officials have assured that a thorough examination will be conducted to ascertain accountability and to prevent similar incidents in the future. The focus remains on the ongoing search for Pankaj Malhotra and supporting the grieving families during this difficult time.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
