Major accident in Harni Lake due to boat capsizing in Vadodara, Gujarat - 13 dead

Gujarat News: A major accident took place in Vadodara district of Gujarat on Thursday evening. More than 25 students who went boating in Harni Lake drowned when the boat capsized. So far, 13 people including 11 students and two female teachers have died in the accident, while the search for other students is going on. Preliminary information has revealed that while boating in the lake, the students were made to sit in the boat without wearing life jackets. Also, more than 25 students were sitting in the boat with a capacity of 16. Because of this the boat overturned in the lake.

#WATCH | Gujarat: A boat carrying children capsized in Vadodara's Harni Motnath Lake. Rescue operations underway. pic.twitter.com/gC07EROBkh

— ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2024

According to the information, after receiving information about the capsizing of a boat filled with more than 25 students in Harni Lake, a team of local divers and fire brigade reached the spot and immediately carried out a rescue operation and saved some students. The students who were pulled out of the lake have been admitted to SSG Hospital for treatment. On getting information about the incident, the police force including DCP, ACP along with the district administration team reached the spot.

Students of which school became victims of the accident?

Information is being received about drowning of students of New Sunrise School, Vadodara. There were more than 25 students on board the boat against the capacity of 16. There were also two female teachers. Two female teachers named Chhaya Surti and Falguni Patel died in the accident. According to the data released by the district administration, 11 students and two female teachers have died.

These questions are being raised regarding the accident

After this incident, many questions are being raised on the district administration. After all, why were more than 25 students seated against the capacity of 16? Why were the students not equipped with life jackets? When the students were being boarded in the boat at Harni Lake, why did the officers and staff looking after the students not stop the students? Why were they not made to sit in two separate boats? At present the district administration has no answers to all these questions.

CM Bhupendra Patel expressed grief over the accident

At present the rescue operation is going on at the spot. Expressing grief over the accident, State Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel wrote on 'X', "The incident of drowning of children due to boat capsizing in Harni Lake of Vadodara is extremely heart-wrenching. I pray for the peace of the souls of the innocent children who lost their lives. My deepest condolences to his family in this time of grief. May the merciful God give them the strength to bear this sorrow. The rescue operation of the students and teachers aboard the boat is currently going on. “The administration has been directed to provide immediate relief and treatment to the victims of the accident.”