12 students, 2 teachers die as boat capsizes in Gujarat's Vadodara

Vadodara, January 18

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Twelve students and two teachers died after a boat overturned in a lake on the outskirts of Vadodara city in Gujarat on Thursday, officials said. Those on board the ill-fated boat were on a picnic when the tragedy occurred at the Harni lake in the afternoon, the officials added. “Fourteen persons (12 students and two teachers) died in the incident. A total of 18 students and two teachers were rescued. We have learnt only 10 students on board were wearing life jackets. It proves organisers were at fault,” Gujarat Minister of State for Home Sanghavi told reporters..

An FIR under Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) of the Indian Penal Code had been registered and two persons had been arrested, Sanghavi informed.

Teams have been formed to nab other culprits, he added.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the site late in the evening and along with Sangahvi toured Janvi Hospital and state-run SSG Hospital to meet survivors and kin of the deceased.

In a message on social media platform X, PM Narendra Modi said, “Distressed by the loss of lives to a boat capsizing at the Harni lake in Vadodara. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected. An ex gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased,” he said.