Chandigarh, Apr 10 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann spoke to his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath after a boat carrying tourists primarily from Punjab capsized in Yamuna in Vrindavan on Friday, leaving at least 10 people dead.
According to an official statement issued here, Mann in constant touch with the Uttar Pradesh government for relief and rescue operations.
Most of the victims belonged to Ludhiana’s Jagraon town.
“Today, a boat carrying residents of Jagraon city (Punjab) for darshan in Vrindavan capsized in the Yamuna River near Mathura while carrying 32 people… it is with great sorrow that I must inform you that some devotees have died by drowning,” Mann said in a post on X.
“I spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Ji… every possible assistance will be provided to the victims. I am in contact with the Uttar Pradesh government…,” the Punjab CM added.
A boat carrying tourists, primarily from Punjab, capsized in Yamuna in Vrindavan on Friday afternoon, leaving at least 10 people dead and several others missing, officials said.
The accident occurred near Kesi Ghat when the boat carrying over two dozen tourists moved into deeper waters and hit a floating pontoon, they said.
Authorities noted that a pontoon bridge had recently been dismantled in the area due to rising water levels, leaving some pontoon drums in the river, one of which the boat is believed to have collided with.
District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh reported six fatalities earlier and later rescuers recovered four more bodies, taking the toll to 10, district administration officials confirmed.
Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu also expressed shock and grief at the incident.
“Extremely shocked by the tragic news of the boat accident of devotees from Jagraon in Vrindavan. No words can heal the pain of losing a loved one on a spiritual journey,” Bittu said in a post on X.
Bittu said the administration is working tirelessly on-site for relief and rescue.
“I pray for the departed souls and for the safety of every devotee,” he wrote on X.
Extending his condolences, CM Bhagwant Mann said, “I share my heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved families, relatives and friends. I pray to the Almighty to give them strength to bear this irreparable loss and grant eternal peace to the departed souls.” Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini termed the incident as extremely tragic and heart-wrenching.
The news of loss of lives in this accident is profoundly painful, Saini said in a post on X in Hindi.
“…My deepest condolences are with all the grieving families. At the same time, I pray for the swift recovery of the injured,” Saini said.
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal also expressed deep grief at the tragedy.
“My heartfelt condolences to the grieving families, and I pray for the safe rescue of all those still missing,” Badal said in a post on X.
Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said he was deeply saddened by the heartbreaking tragedy in Vrindavan.
“Reports of deaths and missing persons are extremely distressing and have shaken us all.
“My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the safe return of those missing and for strength to the grieving families in this difficult time,” he wrote on X. PTI SUN VSD NB NB
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