A tragic accident took place in Mathura on Friday after a tourist boat overturned in the Yamuna river near Vrindavan, leaving at least six people dead and several others missing.
Officials said the boat was carrying more than two dozen tourists, most of whom were from Punjab.
District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh confirmed that six bodies have been recovered so far, while around 16 to 17 people have been rescued safely. Search operations are still ongoing to find those who are missing.
According to eyewitnesses, the boat started shaking badly in the middle of the river due to strong winds. It then lost control, picked up speed, and hit a pontoon bridge, after which it overturned.
Rescue operations were launched immediately after the incident. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are at the spot, along with around 50 local divers, searching for survivors and missing persons.
A local diver, Gulab, said that several people were pulled out of the river during the rescue efforts, and work is still going on in deeper areas.
Police and local administration are jointly handling the situation. Senior officials, including the district magistrate and superintendent of police, have reached the spot to monitor rescue operations.
Authorities said efforts are being made to ensure quick rescue and provide help to the affected families.
The incident has raised concerns about safety measures and overcrowding in tourist boats, especially during changing weather conditions.
