LUCKNOW, India — A fatal boating accident claimed the lives of at least 10 people Friday when a passenger vessel overturned in northern India’s Yamuna river, according to local authorities.
The tragedy unfolded close to Vrindavan, a sacred Hindu pilgrimage destination located in Uttar Pradesh state.
Authorities report the privately-run vessel was dangerously overloaded, carrying approximately 25 individuals despite being designed for only 15 passengers. Initial investigations suggest powerful wind gusts caused the boat to rock violently before colliding with a pontoon bridge and flipping over in the middle of the waterway.
Senior administrative officer Chandraprakash Singh confirmed that rescue teams pulled 15 survivors from the water, with four requiring emergency medical treatment for serious injuries. All fatalities were Indian nationals, including six women, Singh reported.
Safety violations were apparent at the scene, with authorities noting that the majority of passengers lacked proper life vests and the watercraft showed signs of poor upkeep. The boat’s operator abandoned the area following the incident, officials stated.
The victims were among a much larger tourist group of roughly 150 visitors exploring the religious site that day.
Such maritime disasters occur frequently across India, where passenger boats routinely exceed safe capacity limits and lack proper safety gear.
A similar tragedy struck southern India in 2023, when another tourist boat accident resulted in at least 22 fatalities.
