BHOPAL: The youngest survivor of the Bargi Dam cruise tragedy turned one on Friday, his first birthday observed in quiet reflection rather than celebration. The child, on board with his family when the boat capsized, was held above the water for 30 minutes by his father, advocate Roshan Anand Verma, who leapt into the dam as the vessel sank.
Birthday Marked by Gratitude and Remembrance
Grand plans gave way to prayers, a day of gratitude for the life spared and remembrance for those lost. The family chose to spend the day in quiet reflection, thanking fate for the child's survival while mourning the victims.
Death Toll Rises to Nine
Five more bodies were recovered on Friday from Bargi Dam in Jabalpur district where a cruise boat operated by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department capsized the previous evening, taking the toll to nine, while search continued for six more tourists. Rescue teams from the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are still searching for the missing.
With survivors alleging negligence and safety lapses such as tourists not being given life jackets, the state government ordered a probe and also sacked three members of the boat's crew. Divers engaged in the rescue operation witnessed a heart-wrenching sight of the body of a woman still clutching her child.
While 28 tourists were rescued, teams from the Army, NDRF and SDRF were searching for the missing persons, officials said. The state government ordered a probe and banned the operation of such vessels in the state. The incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols and the enforcement of regulations for tourist boats.
