A leisure cruise on the Narmada backwaters in Jabalpur turned into a deadly disaster on Thursday evening after sudden storm winds hit Bargi Dam and overturned a vessel carrying nearly 30 passengers. Authorities confirmed at least nine deaths. They also rescued 22 people. Several others still remain missing.
The accident took place near Khamaria Tapu around 6 pm. Strong winds swept across the reservoir without warning. As a result, the cruise lost balance and sank within minutes. Passengers struggled to respond as the situation escalated rapidly.
Meanwhile, survivors reported they noticed the weather shifting before the capsize. Some passengers shouted warnings to the crew. However, according to accounts, the crew failed to act in time. The vessel continued moving even as the storm intensified.
Soon after the capsize, locals rushed to the shoreline. They immediately threw ropes into the water. They pulled out survivors wherever possible. In some cases, life jackets helped passengers stay afloat. However, many still disappeared into the turbulent waters before help arrived.
Rescuers Make Devastating Discovery Inside Wreckage
After hours of searching, rescue teams recovered one of the most heartbreaking scenes from inside the submerged vessel. They found a mother and her child trapped together in the wreckage. They were still holding each other tightly.
In response, a paramilitary diving team entered the sunken cruise under extremely difficult conditions. Visibility remained almost zero. Moreover, broken metal structures blocked every movement inside the vessel. The structure had collapsed heavily after the impact.
Consequently, rescuers had to cut through narrow openings to reach victims. One diver reported that the confined space made the operation extremely dangerous. In fact, a rescuer narrowly avoided getting trapped during the mission.
Later, officials confirmed that teams recovered multiple bodies, including children and adults. Meanwhile, search operations continued through the night without pause.
Survivors Allege Negligence And Delayed Response
At the same time, survivors raised serious concerns over safety arrangements. Pradeep Kumar, a passenger from Delhi, said that life jackets were not available for everyone. Therefore, passengers shared them during the panic.
He also pointed out that only two crew members were present on board. According to him, they failed to guide passengers when conditions worsened.
Furthermore, he claimed that passengers repeatedly asked the crew to turn the boat back. However, those requests went unanswered. Within minutes, the situation spiralled out of control.
Tragically, Kumar lost his wife and young son in the incident. Officials later recovered their bodies together.
Rescue Operations Continue, Investigation Ordered
Meanwhile, rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) continue operations. In addition, police, NDRF, and Army personnel joined the search effort. However, poor visibility and underwater debris continue to slow progress.
So far, authorities confirmed that at least 24 people have been rescued. Nevertheless, several remain missing, and officials warned that the death toll may rise.
Meanwhile, the state government ordered a formal investigation into the incident. Authorities will examine safety compliance and whether weather warnings were ignored before the cruise operated.
Finally, the government announced compensation for victims’ families and promised strict action if negligence is proven.
As search teams continue working in the depths of the Narmada, the tragedy has left behind grief, questions, and a stark reminder of how quickly a routine journey can turn into irreversible loss.
