JABALPUR: At least nine people have lost their lives after a cruise boat capsized in Madhya Pradesh, with the vessel's captain describing how a sudden storm overturned the boat within minutes. The incident occurred on 30 April during what was meant to be a routine evening cruise. Officials confirmed that 28 people were rescued soon after the accident, while several others were initially reported missing.
Captain's Account of the Tragedy
Captain Mahesh Patel stated that the journey began under normal conditions. "I set out from here at 5.16 PM. When I started, there was no storm or anything. There were light waves like the ones right now," he said. About 20 minutes into the trip, he noticed a change in the weather and decided to turn back. "We had been out for 22 minutes and then I thought we should return. We were on our way back the wind started blowing hard. I instructed the cruise staff to give everyone life jackets," he added.
Conditions worsened rapidly, with strong winds and high waves making navigation difficult. "It takes about 10 minutes to reach the shore, but the boat didn't reach and it overturned. We tried our best but the boat was not ready to reach any of the corners of the shore," Patel recounted.
Safety Measures and Challenges
According to Patel, not all passengers followed safety instructions. "Some people were dancing downstairs. My son told me they were not wearing life jackets. I went and told them that the weather had worsened and they should wear them," he said. The situation escalated within minutes as water began entering the vessel. "It is hard to say, maybe five to seven minutes. The waves came all of a sudden. It was submerged and then it capsized," he explained.
Patel, who was in the upper cabin, managed to rescue several children before escaping. "I pulled out three to four children. Everyone was screaming. I was among the last to get out. It was very difficult," he said. He expressed deep remorse over the incident, stating, "I regret it 100 per cent. I haven't eaten or slept for three days. I only see those children." He also noted that a rescue boat, usually deployed alongside such cruises, was not present due to a shortage of staff. "In such big waves, a rescue boat could have capsized itself," he added.
Search and Rescue Operations
SDOP Lokesh Dawar confirmed that search operations resumed early on Saturday. "Rescue operation resumed around 6 am today. NDRF, SDRF and the Army teams are continuously carrying out the search operation. The diving team too is at it since morning. We have not received any information about any more bodies or survivors so far," he said. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force, along with Army personnel, are continuing search efforts, including underwater operations by divers.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the region, with authorities investigating the incident. The district administration has announced compensation for the families of the deceased. Meanwhile, the captain's account highlights the suddenness of the storm and the challenges faced during rescue attempts.
