At least 13 people, predominantly children, died after a boat carrying villagers to a social feast capsized in the Ganga River in Bihar’s Vaishali district. The tragic incident occurred on the night of October 13, 2026, in Rampur Shyamchand panchayat under the Raghopur police station limits.
Tragedy Strikes During Village Feast Journey
According to local officials and eyewitness accounts, the small vessel carried an estimated 15 to 20 passengers across the river. The passengers were mostly children and young people traveling to Bhagatan Tola to attend a feast at the home of Singheshwar Rai, located near Mata Maharani Sthan.
The boat overturned mid-stream around 8:30 pm, plunging the occupants into the dark waters of the Ganga. Vaishali District Magistrate Varsha Singh confirmed that all the children aboard the vessel were aged 15 or younger.
Rescue Operations and Casualties
Local residents from Rampur Shyamchand and neighboring villages rushed to the riverbanks upon hearing panicked cries. They launched initial rescue efforts before emergency services arrived. Personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), alongside local divers, were deployed to search the river.
Vaishali Superintendent of Police Shubhank Mishra stated that 13 bodies had been recovered by rescue teams. Seven survivors were pulled from the water and initially treated at a local health center. They were later transferred in stable condition to the Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Patna. Authorities reported that three to four individuals remained missing as search operations continued.
Some of the young victims identified in initial official updates included:
- Pinky Kumari, 13
- Ankita Kumari, 6
- Naman Kumar, 10
- Alisha Kumari, 18
- Sunita Kumari, Aryan Kumar, Siki Kumari, Bhonu Kumari, and Meera Kumari
Government Response and Financial Assistance
Central and state leaders expressed profound grief over the disaster. They announced financial compensation packages for the affected families:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Expressed deep sorrow on X (formerly Twitter) and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased person. He also added Rs 50,000 for the injured.
- Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary: Announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh from the state government for each grieving family. He directed local administration to accelerate relief work and ensure optimal medical care for survivors.
- Local Leadership: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Raghopur MLA Tejashwi Yadav urged authorities to deploy additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF personnel to intensify the search for missing passengers. Union Minister and Hajipur MP Chirag Paswan also offered condolences and demanded immediate support for the victims’ relatives.
Safety Concerns on River Crossings
The Vaishali boat capsize has renewed public safety concerns regarding river transport in rural Bihar. Traditional boats often serve as primary connectors for communities along major waterways. Investigations into the exact cause-such as potential overloading or adverse river currents-remain ongoing. The tragedy highlights the critical need for strict passenger limits, mandatory life jackets, and rapid emergency response frameworks during river crossings.
