UP: Ten tourists drown as boat capsizes in Vrindavan Mathura; PM Modi, CM Yogi express grief
A private boat carrying 30 tourists capsized in the Yamuna River in Vrindavan, Mathura on Friday. At least ten tourists drowned in the accident. Among the deceased are seven women and three men. The victims include a married couple and a father-daughter duo. All the tourists on board were members of the Banke Bihari Club and had traveled from Punjab for a visit.
Twenty-two people have been safely rescued. Providing details, Mathura's SP (Rural), Suresh Chand Rawat, stated that the devotees on the boat had arrived from Punjab and were traveling from Vrindavan towards the Devraha Baba Math.
Upon receiving news of the accident, teams from the police and administration immediately rushed to the scene. As part of the rescue operation, teams from the SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) and the Fire Brigade acted swiftly to safely rescue 22 individuals.
District Magistrate (DM) Chandra Prakash Singh stated that the accident occurred around 3:00 PM at KC Ghat, located 2.5 kilometers from the Shri Banke Bihari Temple. The Army has arrived to assist with relief and rescue operations. An NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) team from Ghaziabad has also reached Vrindavan.
Mathura Administration Issues Helpline
Following the boat tragedy, the district administration has issued a helpline number: 0565-2403200. The DM stated that for any issues or information, individuals may contact him directly on his mobile number (9454417512), the Additional District Magistrate (Finance & Revenue) Dr. Pankaj Kumar Verma on his mobile numbers (9012881919 / 9454417583), or the SP (Rural) Suresh Chand Rawat on his mobile number (9454401103).
Tourists were not wearing life jackets
Subedar Akhilesh Pandey of the Mathura Army Engineering Corps stated that one officer, four JCOs (Junior Commissioned Officers), and 20 soldiers have arrived to conduct rescue operations. He noted that had the tourists been wearing life jackets, they would have had sufficient time to save themselves; with life jackets, they could have stayed afloat for up to an hour. The benefit of a life jacket is that if anyone falls into the water, the jacket pulls them to the surface, allowing the individual to be rescued in time.
PM Modi, CM Yogi express grief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed profound pain over the tragic loss of lives following a boat capsize in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
The Prime Minister extended his heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this unfortunate accident. Modi stated that he is praying for the speedy recovery of those injured in the mishap. The Prime Minister further noted that the local administration is actively providing all possible assistance to those affected by the tragedy.
CM Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep sorrow over this tragic incident. Writing on social media, he stated that the loss of life resulting from the boat capsize accident in the Mathura district is extremely distressing and heart-wrenching. "My condolences are with the bereaved families."
CM has directed the concerned officials to immediately reach the site to conduct rescue and relief operations, and to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. "I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant eternal peace to the departed souls, provide the grieving families with the strength to bear this immense sorrow, and ensure a speedy recovery for the injured."