Two minors among six dead in Srinagar boat capsize; 3 missing

AT LEAST six people, including two minors who were on their way to school, died after a boat capsized in the Jhelum River in Srinagar’s Gandbal area on Tuesday morning, officials said.

Three people were still missing at the time of publication, Srinagar’s Deputy Commissioner Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat said.

Bhat said there were 15 people, including seven minors, on the boat as it was crossing the river swollen after incessant rains over the last three days. Witnesses said the boat capsized after a rope tied to it to help it navigate the waters snapped.

“12 people were brought out of the water through the efforts of local people and teams of NDRF and SDRF. Six of them died, three are in the hospital, and three people remain missing, of whom two are minors,” Bhat said.

Expressing grief over the incident, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said the administration was providing “all possible help” to the bereaved families and treatment to those injured.

“Teams of SDRF, Army and other agencies are carrying out relief and rescue work… Marcos (marine commandos) teams have also been alerted. I am constantly monitoring the situation and guiding the team on the ground,” Sinha said.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir V K Bidhuri along with officials of the administration and the police were present at the spot as a search ensued for the missing school children.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti as well as People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone offered condolences.

Political leaders also raised concerns over the under-construction footbridge in the area not being completed seven years after it was sanctioned.

“The prolonged construction of a footbridge, lingering for years, highlights a missed opportunity to prevent such tragedies,” CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami posted on X.

PTI Rescue operation underway in the Jhelum river, Tuesday.