At least 13 children, all aged 15 or younger, have died after a passenger boat capsized on the Ganges River in eastern India's Bihar state. Local authorities confirmed the tragedy occurred late on Tuesday in the central district of Vaishali.
The vessel, carrying an estimated 15 to 20 passengers, was en route to a feast and festival in a neighboring village when it overturned. Emergency rescue teams swiftly deployed to the scene and have since recovered 13 bodies from the river. District officials also reported that between six and seven passengers were pulled alive from the water.
District Magistrate Varsha Singh told reporters that while 13 bodies have been recovered, search operations are continuing to account for everyone on board as the exact passenger tally is still being verified. "The boat was carrying 15 to 20 people when it overturned late Tuesday," Singh stated.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound sorrow over the incident, describing it as "deeply painful." He announced compensation for the bereaved families, adding, "My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this difficult time. I pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured. The local administration is assisting those affected." Modi conveyed his message via the X platform.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also called the incident "heartbreaking." In an X post, Choudhary wrote, "The news of the innocent lives lost in the boat accident in Raghoopur, Vaishali, is extremely heartbreaking and soul-wrenching. In this difficult time, my deepest condolences are with the bereaved families. May God grant peace to the departed souls and provide the families with the strength to bear this immense sorrow."
