LUCKNOW, India — At least 10 people were killed after an overcrowded tourist boat capsized in the Yamuna River in northern India on Friday, authorities said, in the latest fatal river accident in the country.
The incident occurred near Vrindavan, a major Hindu pilgrimage destination in Uttar Pradesh state, known for drawing large numbers of domestic and international visitors.
Officials said the privately operated vessel, designed to carry about 15 passengers, was transporting roughly 25 people when it overturned midstream. Preliminary findings suggest that strong winds destabilized the boat before it struck a pontoon bridge and capsized.
Senior administrative officer Chandraprakash Singh said 15 people were rescued from the river, including four who remain in critical condition. All of the confirmed dead were Indian nationals, and six were women, he added.
Rescue operations were carried out by local authorities and emergency teams, while search efforts continued to account for possible missing passengers. Officials also noted that most passengers were not wearing life jackets at the time of the accident.
Investigators said early observations point to overcrowding and poor vessel maintenance as contributing factors. The boat operator reportedly fled the scene following the capsizing and is now being sought by authorities.
The passengers were part of a larger group of around 150 tourists visiting the area, according to officials.
Boating accidents remain a recurring safety concern in India, where regulatory enforcement is often inconsistent and many vessels operate beyond capacity without adequate safety equipment. In 2023, a similar incident in southern India killed at least 22 people after a tourist boat capsized.
Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the latest tragedy as rescue and recovery efforts continue along the riverbanks.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
