Vrindavan Boat Tragedy: Six Punjab Tourists Dead, NDRF and SDRF Launch Rescue Operation

At least six people were killed and several others remain missing after a tourist boat capsized in the Yamuna River in Vrindavan on Friday afternoon, officials confirmed. The tragic incident occurred when the vessel, carrying over two dozen tourists, overturned midstream, triggering a large-scale rescue operation by local authorities and disaster response teams.

District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh stated that all passengers onboard were tourists from Punjab. He confirmed that six bodies have been recovered so far, while 16 to 17 people have been rescued safely. Efforts are ongoing to trace those still missing, with officials expressing concern over the number of passengers who were not immediately accounted for after the accident.

According to eyewitness accounts, the boat began to sway violently due to strong gusts of wind while navigating the river. The situation worsened when the vessel reportedly lost balance, accelerated uncontrollably, and collided with a pontoon bridge, leading to its capsizing. The sudden nature of the घटना left passengers with little time to react or secure their safety.

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Rescue operations were launched immediately, involving teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force. Around 50 local divers have also joined the search efforts, combing through deeper sections of the river in an attempt to locate the missing individuals. A local diver involved in the operation indicated that multiple victims were pulled out during the initial rescue phase.

Police and district administration officials are working in coordination to manage the situation and ensure that all possible resources are deployed. Senior authorities, including the district magistrate and superintendent of police, have reached the site and are overseeing the ongoing rescue and recovery operations. The area has been secured to facilitate uninterrupted emergency response activities.

The incident has once again raised concerns over safety measures and overcrowding in tourist boats operating in the region. Authorities are expected to review operational protocols and enforce stricter regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future. Meanwhile, rescue teams continue their efforts as families await updates on their missing relatives.

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