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10 from Punjab dead as boat with 30 tourists capsizes in Vrindavan
It was a group of 30 tourists from Ludhiana who had come for boating. The group had hired two boats on Friday afternoon.
At least ten people from Punjab have drowned in the Yamuna River as a boat carrying a group from Ludhiana capsized at the Keshi Ghat in Vriddavan in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura district.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Agra Range Shailesh Pandey informed that at least 10 people drowned in a boat tragedy that took place near KC Ghat of Vrindavan in the district of Mathura at about 3 pm on Friday.
"It was a group of 30 tourists from Ludhiana district in Punjab, who had hired two boats for a ride on the river Yamuna at Keshi Ghat in Vrindavan. Prima facie, it appears that one of the boats went uncontrolled and lost balance after colliding with the pontoon bridge on the river Yamuna. The exact reason will, however, be assigned after proper investigation, " stated Shailesh Pandey.
“Rescue operations began just after the tragedy, and more than 15 were saved, but 10 met with death because of drowning. Teams of NDRF and SDRF have been called in, and assistance has been sought from the local army station in Mathura to help in the rescue operation,” according to DIG Agra Range.
“We have deployed the best of divers available, and they are part of a 100-man strong team deployed for rescue. Teams from the Fire Department, police and administration are on the spot with boats to search those reported missing,” stated DIG Agra Range Shailesh Pandey.
The group was from Ludhiana district, with most of them from Jagraon town.
District Magistrate of Mathura, Chandra Prakash Singh, was at Keshi Ghat supervising the rescue operation and informed that those rescued have been sent to Ram Krishna Mission Hospital in Vrindavan, while other hospitals are placed on alert.
“The NDRF team at Ghaziabad has moved to Vrindavan, and the local army unit at Mathura has been asked to assist in the rescue operation. Profession divers are in action, and all required steps are being taken,” DM Mathura said.
Meanwhile, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has condoled the deaths in the boat tragedy at Mathura district on Friday. Officials in Mathura district are directed by the CM to ensure the best possible treatment for those rescued and shifted to hospitals, and to expedite relief and rescue operations.
In Punjab, Ludhiana deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain has urged residents not to spread rumours or create panic, as the District Administration Ludhiana and the Punjab government are already in touch with authorities in Vrindavan.
He informed that, for the benefit of people, 24x7 dedicated helplines, numbers 01624223226 (SDM Jagraon office) and 01612403100 (Deputy Commissioner Office Ludhiana), have also been set up at Jagraon and at the District Headquarters, Ludhiana.
He informed that, as soon as the incident came to the notice of the District Administration, special teams comprising both civil and police officers have already been dispatched to Vrindavan to improve coordination amongst the authorities.
