In a tragic incident, five pilgrims from Tamil Nadu drowned in the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh's Narmadapuram district on Monday. The boat they were traveling in capsized near the Khedi ghat of the river, officials said.
Incident Details
The group of pilgrims, hailing from Tamil Nadu, had come to visit the famous Narmada temples. They were on a boat ride when the vessel overturned mid-river. Local divers and rescue teams rushed to the spot and recovered the bodies of the five victims. The deceased have been identified as residents of Tamil Nadu, though their names are yet to be officially released.
Rescue and Investigation
District administration officials confirmed that a search operation was launched immediately after the incident. The boat operator has been detained for questioning. Preliminary investigations suggest that the boat may have been overloaded, leading to the capsizing. Authorities have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased. He also directed officials to ensure all possible assistance to the bereaved families.
The incident has once again raised concerns about safety measures on river boats, especially in tourist-heavy areas. Local authorities have been instructed to conduct thorough checks on all boats operating in the region.
This tragedy is a stark reminder of the risks associated with water transport in the state. The government has promised strict action against those found negligent in ensuring passenger safety.
