Hajipur: At least 13 children, all under 15 years of age, drowned when a boat capsized in the Ganga river in Bihar’s Vaishali district late Tuesday evening, officials said. According to District Magistrate Varsha Singh, the incident took place around 8.30 pm in the Raghopur police station area, around 70 kilometres from the district headquarters.
“The boat was said to be carrying 15 to 20 persons, mostly children. An exact number is not yet known. Thirteen bodies have been fished out so far, and the deceased are all less than 15 years of age”, she told reporters.
“Rescue operations are on. Local divers are being assisted by the SDRF. So far, seven children have been rescued. They are undergoing treatment at the NMCH hospital in Patna, where their condition is said to be stable,” she added.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary condoled the loss of life in the incident and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each deceased.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, who represents the Raghopur Assembly constituency, said that he spoke to the district administration and was apprised of the incident.
“I have urged the officials concerned to speed up rescue operations. I will be there tomorrow to offer succour to my people in this hour of grief,” he said on X.
Officials said the incident occurred as people were on their way to attend a feast in a village across the river.
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