A peaceful day near the banks of the Ganga River in Bihar’s Patna district suddenly turned into a heartbreaking tragedy after a boat carrying villagers capsized near Umanath Ganga Ghat in Barh subdivision. The accident claimed the lives of three people, while several others were pulled out alive by locals and rescue teams. Search operations are still continuing as authorities fear more people may be trapped in the river.
According to officials and local residents, around 14 people were travelling on the small boat when the incident happened. Most of them were women and children returning from nearby areas. Eyewitnesses said the river appeared calm at first, but moments later panic spread after the boat reportedly lost balance and overturned in the middle of the water.
People standing near the riverbank immediately raised an alarm and rushed to help. Some villagers jumped into the river without waiting for rescue teams, trying desperately to save passengers struggling in the strong currents. Their quick response helped rescue several people before emergency teams arrived at the scene.
Officials later confirmed the deaths of Neelam Kumari, Shravan Mahato, and his son Kashi Kumar. The death of the father-son duo has left the local community in deep grief. Family members gathered near the ghat as rescue workers continued their search for the missing passengers.
Seven people were rescued safely and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Doctors said some survivors were in shock and suffering from breathing difficulties after remaining underwater for several minutes. Relatives of the passengers waited anxiously outside hospitals and along the riverbank for updates.
Four people are still reported missing. Teams from the local administration, police, and disaster response units are carrying out continuous rescue operations in the area. Divers and boats have been deployed to search different sections of the river, while officials are monitoring the situation closely.
Local residents have once again raised concerns over the lack of safety arrangements on boats operating in the region. According to villagers, many small boats continue to ferry passengers without proper safety checks, life jackets, or passenger limits. Some residents alleged that overcrowding is common, especially in riverbank areas where boats are frequently used for daily travel.
The incident has shocked people across the district and sparked discussions about river transport safety in Bihar. While rescue teams continue searching for the missing passengers, the atmosphere around Umanath Ganga Ghat remains tense and emotional. Families are still hoping for good news as authorities continue efforts late into the evening.
Officials are expected to conduct a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident and examine whether negligence or overloading played any role in the tragedy. For now, grief hangs heavy over the riverside village, where a routine boat journey ended in loss, fear, and heartbreak.