13 dead as boat capsizes in Ganga in Bihar's Vaishali while carrying people to funeral feast

At least 13 people were killed when a boat capsized in the Ganga in Bihar's Vaishali district. The passengers were on their way to a feast held in a neighbouring village after a funeral. Most of the dead are children. Rescue work is under way, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced financial assistance for the families of the dead and for the injured.

The accident took place in the Raghopur area of Vaishali district on the evening of Tuesday, October 13, 2026. A private boat carrying passengers suddenly overturned in the Ganga near Rampur Shyamchand village. The people on board were headed to a feast held in the neighbouring village on the occasion of a funeral. The boat went down while crossing the river.

Initial reports spoke of 11 deaths. Two more bodies were recovered during the rescue, taking the toll to 13. According to the district administration, most of the dead are children. The cause of the capsizing is not yet clear. The accident occurred in the Raghopur Assembly constituency of Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly.

There was initially no firm information on how many people were on board. According to Vaishali District Magistrate Varsha Singh, it had earlier been reported that the private boat carried 15 to 20 children. Another account estimates that 35 to 40 people in all were on the boat.

Local residents immediately jumped into the river and tried to save those drowning. Some passengers swam to the bank on their own. Administration and police teams also reached the spot. So far 7 people have been rescued and sent to Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) for treatment. The condition of those rescued is said to be stable.

A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has reached the site, and the search and rescue operation is on with the help of local boatmen. District Magistrate Varsha Singh said saving as many lives as possible is the administration's first priority. She also said further action will be taken as per the rules.

Villagers are deeply angry with the district administration after the accident. They raised slogans against District Magistrate Varsha Singh and questioned the administration's functioning. Local people allege that the boat was in poor condition, that complaints had been made earlier, but that the boat was not replaced.

Residents also allege that the boat was carrying more passengers than its capacity. According to local people, the boat broke into two pieces after the passengers boarded and overturned in the Ganga. These claims have not been officially confirmed. Villagers also complained that the rescue team did not reach the spot in time. Relatives of some of the dead have demanded that a murder case be registered against the local circle officer. The administration's detailed inquiry report on the actual condition of the boat, whether complaints were made earlier and the real cause of the accident has not yet come out.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the accident. According to a post on X by the Prime Minister's Office, the deaths are extremely sad. He conveyed condolences to the families of the dead and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

The Prime Minister has announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the dead from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF). The injured will be given Rs 50,000 each. The Prime Minister's Office said the affected people are being given necessary help by the local administration.

After the Prime Minister's announcement, the Bihar government has also announced assistance for the families of the dead. The state government will pay Rs 4 lakh in compensation to each victim's family. A pall of gloom has settled over the village, and many families have been struck by grief.

Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav also expressed deep grief. In a social media post, he said he had received the extremely unfortunate news of a boat capsizing in the Raghopur diara area. He said most of those who drowned are children, and prayed for everyone's safety. According to Yadav, he has spoken to local people, the administration and the officials concerned and directed them to speed up relief, rescue and treatment of the injured.

The Bihar Congress also expressed grief over the accident. Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) chief Upendra Kushwaha also paid tribute to the dead children and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.