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Bihar boat tragedy: Death toll reaches 24, FIR lodged against boat operator

Rescue operations, which were halted late night, resumed on Sunday morning.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for next of kin of those deceased and Rs.50,000 for those seriously injured in the Bihar boat tragedy. On Sunday morning, the death toll in the boat tragedy that took place in Chhapra reached 24.

At least 24 people, including some minors, drowned when Makar Sankranti festivities ended in a tragedy after the boat capsized on the Ganga on Saturday. Around 40 people were said to be onboard the country boat. 

The operator, who was also on the boat at the time tragedy struck, was one of the lucky survivors.  However, the FIR was registered against him as the number of the people onboard was reportedly more than the vessel's capacity. 

An FIR has been lodged against the boat operator in the Sonpur Police Station.

Rescue operation resumed on Sunday morning. Director General of the National Disaster Response Force RK Pachnanda said that three NDRF teams were on the spot.

The rescue operation were halted at night. Patna District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Aggarwal told reporters that the NDRF, SDRF and civil and police officials would guard the area throughout the night and the divers would start fresh search for victims in the morning.

The DM said prima facie it appears that the boat capsized either due to overloading or collision with another country boat, mid-water. He said the tragedy occurred around 200 metres from Sambalpur diara (riverine) area on another side of Ganga which falls under Sonepur area of Saran district. 

Aggarwal said it has come to light that these people had gone for am unauthorised 'Disneyland fair' near Sambalpur diara area in Saran district and boarded the country boat to return to Patna side when mishap occurred mid-stream.

Amateur footage of the tragedy confirmed that the boat was carrying passengers, from a kite flying event, well over its intended capacity. The dramatic visuals of the capsizing boat show several passengers swimming towards safety and a few seem to have been pulled into the waters along with the sinking boat.

With PTI/ANI inputs.

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