Ahmedabad: In a heartbreaking incident, a boat carrying 27 people, including 23 children and four teachers, capsized in Harni Lake of Vadodara, Gujarat, resulting in the tragic loss of 14 including seven children lives.
Swift response teams, including local fire brigade, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and skilled swimmers, have mobilized to the scene, actively engaged in rescue efforts to locate and save any remaining individuals.
#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
Upon reaching out to a senior police official, it was conveyed that ongoing rescue operations are in progress. The individuals successfully rescued have been promptly admitted to various hospitals for necessary treatment. The police, however, refrained from providing comments on the current death toll or disclosing the total count of individuals still missing.
Providing details of the unfortunate event, Vadodara Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot stated, “There were 23 children and four teachers on the boat. Seven people have been rescued. The search for six to seven people is going on.”
Vadodara Collector AB Gore shared with the media that, based on current information, 11 individuals have been successfully rescued from the capsized boat.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has conveyed his condolences and issued directives to officials for ensuring the immediate and necessary treatment for the victims.
હરણી તળાવની દુર્ઘટનાને લઈને ખૂબ વ્યથિત છું. કાળ જ્યારે માસૂમ બાળકોને માતાપિતા પાસેથી છીનવી લે ત્યારે તેમના હૃદય પર શું વીતે તેની કલ્પના કરવી પણ મુશ્કેલ છે.
— Bhupendra Patel (@Bhupendrapbjp) January 18, 2024
તંત્ર સાથે સતત સંકલનમાં છું અને અન્ય કાર્યક્રમ સ્થગિત કરીને વડોદરા જવા નીકળી રહ્યો છું. હાલ તંત્ર દ્વારા તાકીદે રાહત-બચાવ…
He conveyed, “This heartbreaking incident has left a deep impact. My prayers extend to the innocent children who lost their lives. May their souls find peace.”
In addition, he shared his deepest condolences with the bereaved family, stating, “During this difficult hour, my thoughts are with the family. May the Almighty grant them the strength to endure this sorrow.” He went on to provide an update on the ongoing rescue operation, mentioning, “Efforts to rescue the students and teachers on the boat are currently underway. Directives have been issued to the administration to ensure immediate relief and treatment for the victims of this unfortunate accident.”