MP Cruise Disaster: 9 Killed, 22 Rescued After Boat Capsizes in Bargi Dam Storm

The Bargi Dam boat tragedy in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district has claimed at least nine lives , with rescue teams continuing an intense search operation for those still missing in the reservoir. The incident, which occurred after a sudden storm overturned a cruise boat on Thursday evening, has now triggered serious questions over safety standards and operational negligence .

Officials confirmed that five additional bodies were recovered on Friday , taking the total death toll to nine . Around 22 passengers have been rescued so far , while several others remain unaccounted for. Teams from the NDRF, SDRF, and Army are engaged in round-the-clock search efforts, using cranes and diving units to retrieve the overturned vessel and trace missing passengers.

The cruise boat was carrying 29 passengers and two crew members when it capsized in the Bargi Dam reservoir, located on the Narmada River in Jabalpur district. Eyewitness accounts and survivor statements suggest that strong winds suddenly intensified, turning calm waters into rough waves within minutes.

Amid the ongoing investigation, survivor Sangeeta Kori , a Delhi resident who was among those rescued, has alleged serious negligence and mismanagement . She claimed the vessel may have been carrying more passengers than officially stated and said there was chaos over life jackets during the critical moments before the capsize.

“None of the passengers had worn life jackets. They were kept inside and distributed only when water started entering the boat, which caused panic,” she said, describing a desperate scramble that quickly turned fatal.

Kori also alleged that locals had warned the crew as conditions worsened, urging them to steer back to safety. However, she claimed those warnings were ignored, and the boat continued moving until it overturned.

State Tourism Minister Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi has ordered a detailed inquiry , including scrutiny of safety protocols, life jacket availability, and possible lapses in operation. Authorities have also not ruled out examining claims of overloading.

With rescue operations still underway and the death toll confirmed at nine , officials say the final numbers may change as search efforts continue in the deep waters of Bargi Dam.