The search and rescue operation at Bargi Dam in Jabalpur district has officially concluded after authorities recovered the body of the last missing person in the boat capsize tragedy, raising the total death toll to 13. The final body was recovered on Sunday morning, bringing closure to a multi-day operation following the incident involving a state tourism vessel that overturned during a sudden storm on Thursday evening.
Officials confirmed that the body of Mayuram, a five-year-old boy, was recovered earlier in the day, followed by the retrieval of Kamraj (50), an employee of the Ordnance Factory in Khamaria. Bargi Police Station House Officer Neelesh Dohare stated that the recovery of Kamraj marked the final missing person accounted for in the tragedy, officially ending search efforts at the site.
The accident occurred when an approximately 20-year-old tourism boat operated by the state tourism department capsized amid severe weather conditions. The sudden storm reportedly caught the vessel off guard, leading to panic and chaos among passengers. Rescue operations were immediately launched, involving multiple agencies working round the clock to locate survivors and recover those missing in the water.
Also Read: South Korean President Lee Concludes India Visit After Talks With PM Modi
A massive multi-agency operation was deployed in response to the disaster, involving more than 200 personnel. Around 20 elite divers were airlifted from Agra, while teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local divers conducted extensive underwater searches. The operation covered a radius of nearly five kilometres, with divers scanning depths of 40 to 50 feet in an effort to recover bodies trapped underwater.
Authorities confirmed that 28 people were rescued shortly after the capsizing incident. However, discrepancies in passenger records have complicated the investigation, with police officially identifying 41 passengers, while CCTV footage from the boarding area reportedly shows 43 individuals entering the vessel before departure. These inconsistencies have raised questions about overcrowding and safety protocols on the boat.
In response to the tragedy, the Madhya Pradesh government has ordered a high-level investigation into both structural and operational failures that may have contributed to the accident. The state also took immediate disciplinary action, dismissing three crew members present on the vessel at the time of the incident. Officials have said the inquiry will focus on safety lapses, regulatory compliance, and accountability to prevent such incidents in the future.
Also Read: Israel Defence Minister Says Operation Against Hezbollah Continues After Ceasefire