13 Dead After Boat Carrying 30 Capsizes in Bihar’s Ganga; PM Modi Announces Compensation

PATNA: At least 13 people, including children, died after a boat carrying around 30 passengers capsized in the Ganga near Raghopur in Bihar’s Vaishali district late on Tuesday night. Rescue operations are underway, with authorities searching for those still missing.

According to local sources, most of the passengers were children from Rampur Shyamchand village. They were travelling to a feast in a village across the river when the accident occurred at around 8 pm. Local residents suspect that the boat may have capsized after losing balance because it was carrying more passengers than its capacity.

Vaishali district magistrate Varsha Singh told PTI that 13 people had died and six had been rescued. She said rescue operations were continuing.

Tirhut range deputy inspector general of police Chandan Kumar Kushwaha said divers, local police personnel and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) had been deployed for search and rescue operations.

The operation is being supervised by district magistrate Varsha Singh and superintendent of police Shubhankar Mishra.

PM Modi announces ex gratia for victims’ families

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the boat accident and described the incident as deeply distressing.

In a post on X, Modi said he stood with the bereaved families during this difficult time and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. He added that the local administration was providing assistance to those affected.

The Prime Minister announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased person. Those injured in the accident will receive Rs 50,000 each.

Rescue teams continue to search the river as authorities work to establish the exact number of people who were aboard the boat and determine whether anyone remains missing.

The loss of lives in the boat capsizing incident in Vaishali, Bihar, is deeply painful. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this difficult time. I pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured. The local administration is assisting those affected.

An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 13, 2026