Bihar Boat Tragedy: 13 Children Drown in Ganga River, Seven from Same Family

Rescue teams continued searching for missing passengers as authorities worked to establish the exact number of people aboard the vessel.

In a particularly devastating development, seven of the deceased children reportedly belonged to the same family, leaving the village and surrounding communities in mourning.

According to preliminary reports, between 20 and 30 people were travelling by boat to attend a feast in a neighbouring village when the tragedy occurred. The vessel reportedly lost balance after entering the main current of the Ganga and overturned, throwing its passengers into the water.

The incident occurred near Rampur Shyamchand village under the jurisdiction of Raghopur police station. Passengers were reportedly crossing the river and a nearby low-lying, waterlogged area locally known as a dhab.

As cries for help emerged from the river, local residents rushed to the scene and began rescue efforts. Teams from the district administration, police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) subsequently joined the operation, with local divers assisting in the search for missing passengers.

Seven of the children who died were reportedly members of the family of Rampravesh Rai, also known as Raja, a resident of Rampur Shyamchand village. The loss of multiple children from a single household has compounded the grief experienced by the affected families and the wider community.

The tragedy also triggered protests by angry villagers, who accused the district administration of failing to address concerns about the condition of the boat. Residents alleged that the vessel was old and poorly maintained and claimed that earlier requests for its replacement had gone unanswered.

There are also suspicions that the boat may have been carrying passengers beyond its permitted capacity. However, authorities have yet to establish the exact cause of the accident, and allegations concerning the vessel's condition and possible overcrowding remain under investigation.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan expressed grief over the deaths, describing the incident in Raghopur Diyara, which falls within his parliamentary constituency, as deeply distressing.

Paswan said he had spoken to the District Magistrate to obtain information about the rescue operation and discuss possible assistance for the affected families from the Bihar and central governments. He also announced plans to visit the accident site, meet the bereaved families and enquire about the condition of those injured.

According to Paswan, injured passengers were shifted to Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) for further treatment.

The Bihar Congress also expressed sorrow over the deaths, extending condolences to the grieving families and praying for strength for those affected by the tragedy.

Meanwhile, rescue personnel continued their efforts to locate missing passengers, while officials sought to confirm the total number of people who had boarded the vessel.

The final death toll, the number of passengers still missing and the precise circumstances that caused the boat to capsize remain to be established.