Gujarat: 12 students, 2 teachers die as boat overturns in lake near Vadodara

A boat capsized in Gujarat's Harani Lake, near Vadodara, killed 12 students and 2 teachers on Thursday. According to PTI, on the boat, there were four teachers and 27 students who had gone on a picnic. With the remaining students missing, a search operation has been initiated to locate them.

"Around 35 people were on the boat, perhaps more than its capacity. The boat lost its balance and capsized...There were no safety measures...Around 14 people - 12 children and two teachers have died...Everyone else has been rescued...This will be investigated and strictest punishment will be given for lapses..." Dr Sheetal Mistry, Chairman of the Standing Committee, Vadodara Municipal Corporation told ANI.

Gujarat Education Minister Kuber Dindor said, "I have just learnt that six children died after a boat carrying school students overturned in a lake." "Rescue operations are underway. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the fire brigade personnel are on the job along with other agencies," he said. 

Vadodara district collector A B Gor said there were 27 children on the boat. "We are trying to trace and rescue others," he said. "A boat carrying school students, who came here on a picnic, overturned in Harni lake in the afternoon. The fire brigade has so far rescued seven students, while search is on for the missing ones," Vadodara's chief fire officer Parth Brahmbhatt said. Few local residents rescued some children before the fire brigade personnel reached the spot, he said.

- with inputs from PTI