Narmada Tragedy: Nine Dead in Bargi Dam Boat Capsize; Search for Missing Continues

The death toll in the cruise boat capsizing incident at Bargi Dam in Jabalpur has climbed to nine, a day after the tragedy struck, with rescue operations still underway to locate those missing in the Narmada River.

Among the deceased are a mother and her four-year-old son, whose bodies were recovered Friday morning in a scene that left rescue workers shaken.

The mother was found clutching the child to her chest in a desperate attempt to save him. The two were part of a family of four tourists from Delhi; the father and daughter managed to escape the accident.

State Minister Rakesh Singh confirmed the recovery of two more bodies and raised pointed questions about the effectiveness of safety measures on board.

"NDRF has recovered two more bodies. The situation will be clear in some time. After the rescue operation concludes, it will be clear why people could not be saved even when they were wearing life jackets," he told ANI.

Were Passengers on the Capsized Cruise Boat Actually Provided Life Jackets?

Authorities had saved 24 people as of Friday morning, according to news agency IANS.

Of those rescued, 17 have been hospitalised. Nine others, including five children, remain missing.

Contradictory accounts have emerged over whether passengers were equipped with life jackets at all.

While the State Minister noted that passengers were wearing life jackets, a survivor has alleged a complete lack of basic safety measures, claiming that none were provided to those on board.

Notably, cruise captain Mahesh Patel, who had a life jacket, survived the incident.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav attributed the capsize to a "severe storm" and posted on X, "Through swift rescue operations, 15 citizens have been safely rescued. Efforts are underway to locate those who are missing as quickly as possible."

"In this hour of crisis, the state government stands in full solidarity with the affected families with complete sensitivity, and every possible assistance is being ensured,” he added.

Eyewitness accounts point to dangerously strong winds as a contributing factor, with locals alleging that warnings to the boat operator went unheeded.

"It was really windy. We told the boat operator to come to the other end, but he paid no heed. It started for the other side but capsized in the middle of the dam. A few people in life jackets jumped off the boat. We safely rescued about 15-16 people. We rushed them to the hospital. The bodies were taken away," said Samrat, an eyewitness.

Rescue operations continue, with authorities working to bring clarity to the full sequence of events once the search efforts are concluded.

(With inputs from ANI)