In a tragic incident, a boat capsized in the Ganga river near Patna, According to ANI, at least 19 people have died in the accident.The accident took place when the boat,was about to reach the river bank. The boat was returning from a kite festival on the occasion of Makar Sankranti. Meanwhile, the state police have launched a search operation for the missing people. State government has announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the deceased.
Some persons swam to safety, while some families were complaining of missing members, the SP said adding, a search operation is on. District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar Aggarwal and the SP have reached the spot.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed grief over the boat tragedy and ordered a probe.
Kumar has ordered cancellation of all subsequent events organised in the diara (riverine) area as part of the Makar Sankranti festival and has instructed senior officials to seek details about the programme organised from which people were returning and whether proper arrangements were made for the event, an official statement said here.
The CM instructed Principal Secretary of Health R K Mahajan and the Patna District Magistrate to ensure proper treatment of the victims of the boat tragedy.
Kumar has also instructed Principal Secretary of Disaster Management Pratyay Amrit and DIG Shalin to supervise relief and rescue operations and has ordered Patna district administration to provide ex-gratia to the family of the deceased.
With inputs from agencies
Source: dnaindia.com