Assam Boat Accident: Boat Collides With Ferry in Brahmaputra River; Several Feared Dead

Home Minister Amit Shah also got in touch with the Assam CM to enquire about the incident and offer all possible help for rescue operations.

Jorhat: Many people are feared dead after a large boat sank in the Brahmaputra river following a collision with a ferry near Nimati Ghat in Assam today. The collision occurred when the private boat ”Ma Kamala” was headed to Majuli from Nimati Ghat and the government-owned ferry ”Tripkai” was coming from Majuli. Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF have been pressed into service for rescue operations.

An official confirmed to PTI that more than 120 passengers were on board the boat, but many of them were rescued by ”Tripkai” which is owned by the department.

Jorhat Deputy Commissioner Ashok Barman told PTI that 41 people have been rescued so far and no body has been found yet.

Assam | Two boats carrying approximately 120 passengers collided in the Brahmaputra river in Jorhat today, many passengers missing; rescue operation underway: DG NDRF Satya N. Pradhan pic.twitter.com/TQmQSm1NAK

— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2021

Here are the Highlights:

8.45 PM: PM telephoned me to enquire about the progress of rescue operations at Nimati Ghat & the conditions of those with injuries. I apprised the PM with all the details. Also informed that all of us are minutely monitoring the ground situation: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

8.17 pm: We have located the boat that capsized, it is located 1.5 kilometers from the spot. We will have to cut open its top portion, only then can we reach under it. NDRF and SDRF are making arrangements for it: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Jorhat boat collision incident

8:15 pm: Two boats collided, one of them capsized. As of now, it’s difficult to ascertain number of people on it. However, 42 people rescued so far. One woman died. So far, 4 people have been reported missing but the entire report will come in 2-3 hours: Assam CM on Jorhat boat collision

8.00 PM: One death has been confirmed in the boat accident at Nimati Ghat, Jorhat. Rescue operation underway: Ankur Jain, SP Jorhat

7.30 PM: 

Saddened by the boat accident in Assam. All possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2021

7.00 PM: Taking to Twitter, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said he was “pained” by the incident. “I am pained at the tragic boat accident near Nimati Ghat, Jorhat. Directed Majuli & Jorhat admin to undertake rescue mission expeditiously with help of @NDRFHQ & SDRF. Advising Min @BimalBorahbjp to immediately rush to the accident site. I’ll also visit Nimati Ghat tomorrow,” he tweeted.

6.30 PM: Home Minister Amit Shah in touch with the Assam CM to enquire about the incident and offer all possible help for rescue operations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the boat accident in Assam. “All possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers,” he said.

#UPDATE | Boat accident in Brahmputra river, Assam: There were around 50 people in the boat which met with the accident, out of which 40 people have been rescued, says Jorhat Additional DC Damodar Barman

Resue teams on the spot. pic.twitter.com/drcMOWTGVW

— ANI (@ANI) September 8, 2021

A video of the accident showed the boat gradually sinking in the river even as many passengers latched on to it while others jumped into the water to cross to the other boat.

Here’s a video of the incident:

https://twitter.com/Basantakalita16/status/1435585980069679104?s=19

Sarma asked Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Samir Kumar Sinha to monitor the developments round-the-clock. “The Chief Minister himself will visit Nimati Ghat tomorrow for evaluating the situation,” a CMO statement said.