Srinagar, Apr 16 (UNI) A boat carrying nearly two dozen people, including school children from Gandbal to Batwara, capsized on Tuesday morning, in the Jhelum river in Srinagar, killing at least six people and leaving several others missing.
District Magistrate Srinagar Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat said they are ascertaining as to how many people were on board.
"As far as initial input, 15 people were on board, and out of them, seven were minors and the rest were adults. Since morning, we have rescued 12 people, and out of them, six have unfortunately died,” Bhat told reporters near the tragedy site.
He said that three are being treated in the hospital and are stable.
“At this time, three people, including two children, are missing,” Bhat said.
Search and rescue operations by several agencies, including the State Disaster Response Force, are underway to locate the missing. The Army's elite Marine Commandos (MARCOS) have also been alerted.
Doodnath, a resident of Uttar Pradesh who was an eyewitness to the tragedy, said that he, along with his brother, rescued three people after the boat capsized.
“The boat overturned after the rope used to help it cross the river snapped suddenly. I saw the passengers calling for help. I, along with my brother, rescued three,” Doodnath claimed.
A pall of gloom descended on the area, with residents hitting out at the government for not constructing a bridge in the area.
“The bridge at Gandbal has been under construction for the last two decades. The locals were compelled to use boats to cross. If the bridge had been constructed in time, probably this incident could have been avoided,” fumed a local resident.
Kashmir has been witnessing incessant rain for the last two days, which has led to an increase in the water levels of several bodies of water, including Jhelum. This morning, Jhelum was flowing close to the flood alarm level in Srinagar.
Meanwhile, J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said that he is constantly monitoring the situation.
“I am deeply grieved by the loss of lives due to a boat accident in Srinagar. My thoughts are with the bereaved families, and I pray to the Almighty to give them strength to withstand this immense loss. Teams of SDRF, Army, and other agencies are carrying out relief and rescue work,” Sinha said in a post on X.
He said the administration is providing all possible help to the bereaved families who have lost their near and dear ones and medical facilities to those who have been injured.
“Marcos teams have also been alerted. I am constantly monitoring the situation and guiding the team on the ground,” he added.
Several J&K politicians, including Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti, Sajad Lone, Altaf Bukhari, and Altaf Thakur, have expressed shock over the tragedy.
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