Mathura boat tragedy toll rises to 11, 4 still missing, boat operator arrested

In a tragic incident, at least 11 pilgrims lost their lives and several others remain missing after a motorised boat capsized in the Yamuna River near Vrindavan in Mathura district.

The accident occurred on Friday evening around 5:30-6:00 pm (IST) near Kesi Ghat and Banshi Vat when a boat carrying around 32-37 pilgrims from Punjab , mainly from Ludhiana, Jagraon, and Muktsar, overturned after reportedly hitting a floating pontoon structure in the Yamuna River.

A larger group of over 100 pilgrims had visited the area for a religious outing. Moments before the tragedy, a video showed passengers in a devotional atmosphere , chanting “ Radhe Radhe ” and enjoying the river ride.

Officials and survivors said the boat was severely overcrowded , far exceeding its safe capacity of around 15 passengers. They also alleged that no life jackets were provided , and repeated warnings to slow down were ignored by the boat operator.

The vessel reportedly lost balance after striking the pontoon near Banshi Vat and overturned in deep waters of 25-30 feet , triggering panic as passengers were thrown into the river.

Immediate rescue efforts were launched by locals, followed by teams from SDRF, NDRF, police, fire services, civil defence, Army personnel, and divers . So far, around 22-24 people have been rescued , while search operations for missing passengers continue across a wide stretch of the Yamuna.

Authorities confirmed that the capsized boat has been recovered from the riverbed , helping ongoing investigation efforts. The boat operator, identified as Pappu , has been arrested on charges of negligence.

The tragedy prompted a strong national response, with President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing grief. PM Modi also announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of each deceased victim , along with assistance for the injured.

The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a high-level inquiry into safety lapses , focusing on overloading, absence of life jackets, and possible regulatory violations in pilgrimage boating services.

Search and rescue operations remain ongoing amid difficult river conditions, while officials continue efforts to trace the missing.