Death Toll in Mathura Boat Tragedy Rises to 11, Operator Held

Mathura, April 11: Authorities confirmed that the death toll in the Mathura boat tragedy rose to 11 on Saturday after rescue teams recovered one more body from the Yamuna River. Police arrested the operator of the ill-fated vessel as investigations into the incident intensified.

Officials said the accident occurred on Friday afternoon near Kesi Ghat in Vrindavan when a boat carrying over two dozen pilgrims capsized in the river. Most passengers reportedly belonged to Punjab and had visited the area for religious purposes.

Rescue teams, including personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Army, continued search operations for missing passengers. Authorities confirmed that at least 22 people were rescued, while several others remain unaccounted for.

Police arrested the boat operator, identified as Pappu, late Friday night on charges of negligence. Investigators said he allegedly failed to provide life jackets and operated the vessel at high speed despite warnings from passengers. Officials suspect these lapses contributed directly to the capsizing.

Preliminary findings indicate that the boat collided with a floating structure, believed to be part of a pontoon bridge, before overturning in the river. Authorities stated that rising water levels and debris in the Yamuna may have worsened navigation conditions at the time of the accident.

Rescue teams expanded the search radius to several kilometres downstream, as officials warned that strong currents could have carried victims away from the accident site. Divers and local boatmen assisted in the operation, which continued for over 20 hours.

District officials confirmed that the recovered body was identified as a 42-year-old man from Ludhiana. Authorities transported the deceased to nearby hospitals for post-mortem examinations and initiated procedures to hand over the bodies to families.

The administration launched a formal probe into the incident and ordered strict action against violations of safety norms. Officials stated that they will review boating regulations in the region to prevent similar tragedies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences and directed authorities to ensure proper medical care for the injured and support for affected families.