In Jabalpur boat tragedy, survivors have alleged that crew ignored their warnings and failed to provide them life jackets.
Rescue operation underway after a cruise boat with 29 passengers capsized in Bargi Dam due to a sudden storm in Jabalpur. (Source: PTI)
A leisure cruise turned into a deadly disaster on Thursday evening after a boat capsized at Bargi Dam on the Narmada River, leaving at least nine people dead and several others missing. The incident has triggered serious questions over safety lapses, crew response, and administrative oversight.
Sudden Storm Turns Fatal
The vessel, carrying around 30–40 people, including crew members, overturned after weather conditions deteriorated rapidly around 6 pm. Wind speeds surged to 60–70 kmph, creating turbulent waves across the dam.
Officials believe the sudden high-velocity winds destabilised the boat, causing it to lose balance and capsize within minutes.
Speaking to IANS, a survivor said, “The storm was very strong, and the waves were very high…Two waves came and entered inside the cruise. The waves were coming faster and the glass broke and the ship turned…I myself gave life jackets to people and told them to wear them.”
Warnings Ignored, Route Not Altered
Eyewitnesses and survivors alleged that danger signs were visible well before the accident. People on the shore had warned the operator to steer the vessel back as the weather worsened.
Passengers too urged the crew to move the boat towards safety, but these pleas were allegedly ignored.
One survivor said the crew “did not pay heed” to repeated requests to change course, a decision that proved fatal as the vessel continued into deeper waters before capsizing.
Speaking to ANI, an eyewitness Tuhin said, “We were sitting here after having a meal. It was windy. The boat was shaking. People told the boat operator to pull the boat to our side and anchor it here. But he paid no heed. He took the boat in the middle of the water once again and it capsized. We helped a few people in coming out…I rescued 5-6 people.”
Crew Response Under Scrutiny
Survivors also flagged serious lapses in emergency response. According to accounts, the boat had only two crew members, neither of whom effectively guided passengers during the crisis.
Life Jackets Distributed Too Late
One of the survivors claimed that life jackets were either insufficient or distributed only after the boat had already begun to sink.
Passengers were forced to scramble and distribute life jackets among themselves in panic, leaving many without protection as the vessel overturned.
Speaking to ANI, a survivor said”…My son and wife are missing. I got hurt when the mirror on the cruise boat broke after hitting a wave. The staff did not provide us with life jackets; we arranged them and distributed them ourselves.”
Rescue Efforts And Casualties
Local residents were among the first to respond, using ropes to pull survivors to safety, especially those who managed to secure life jackets.
Authorities confirmed that at least 15 people were rescued and taken to nearby hospitals, while search operations continued through the night to locate the missing.
Speaking to IANS, one of the survivors said, “We were all sitting properly when suddenly strong winds started blowing, and heavy waves began rising. People from the nearby village were also warning the cruise operator to move towards the side as the weather had turned bad…But before anything could be done, water entered and the cruise overturned.”
In a heart-wrenching moment, the bodies of a woman and her four-year-old son, hugging each other, were recovered.
Weather Alert, Yet No Halt
The tragedy has also raised concerns about administrative lapses. The cruise was allowed to operate despite a yellow alert issued by the India Meteorological Department warning of strong winds in the region, India Today reported.
Government Response And Probe
State minister Rakesh Singh, who visited the site, termed the incident “most unfortunate” and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said rescue operations were being carried out on a war footing and assured support to affected families.
Search operations involving disaster response teams continued amid poor visibility, while a government inquiry has been ordered to examine lapses, including safety preparedness, crew conduct, and the decision to operate despite adverse weather.
Bargi Dam is one of the earliest major hydroelectric and irrigation projects on the Narmada River. It is also a very popular tourist destination, nearly 40 km from Jabalpur.
Jabalpur, India, India
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