10 pilgrims from Punjab dead, several missing after boat capsizes in Mathura's Vrindavan
The devotees included those from Muktsar and Ludhiana, say sources
A boat carrying pilgrims, primarily from Punjab, capsized in Vrindavan's Yamuna on Friday afternoon, leaving 10 persons dead and several others missing.
The accident occurred near Kesi Ghat when the boat carrying pilgrims moved into deeper waters and hit a floating pontoon.
A group of pilgrims, including children, had set out on a Yamuna trip in a private steamer. They were part of a larger group of 150 pilgrims from Ludhiana and Muktsar in Punjab. The deceased include six men and four women.
Authorities noted that a pontoon bridge had recently been dismantled in the area due to rising water levels, leaving some pontoon drums in the river, one of which the boat is believed to have collided with.
District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh reported six fatalities earlier, and later rescuers recovered four more bodies, taking the toll to 10, district administration officials confirmed.
"Sixteen to 17 people have been rescued safely so far. Efforts are ongoing to locate the missing," the DM said earlier, adding that all tourists onboard were from Punjab.
The district magistrate said the exact number of people on board the boat at the time of the accident is yet to be ascertained. However, based on inputs from accompanying pilgrims, three to four persons are still reportedly missing.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognisance of the incident and expressed deep grief over the loss of lives. He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.
The chief minister has directed officials to expedite the ongoing relief and rescue operations and ensure that the injured are provided immediate and proper medical treatment, officials said.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann spoke to Adityanath and said all necessary assistance would be provided to the victims. He said the boat was carrying 32 people hailing from Jagraon city in Punjab for darshan in Vrindavan.
ਮਥੁਰਾ ਕਿਸ਼ਤੀ ਹਾਦਸੇ ਦੇ ਸੰਬੰਧ ਵਿੱਚ ਉੱਤਰ ਪ੍ਰਦੇਸ਼ ਦੇ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਯੋਗੀ ਜੀ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲ ਕੀਤੀ..ਪੀੜਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹਰ ਸੰਭਵ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ..
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) April 10, 2026
The Ludhiana administration has set up dedicated control rooms in Ludhiana and Jagraon -- 01624223226 (SDM Jagraon office) and 01612403100 (Deputy Commissioner Office Ludhiana).
Special teams of civil and police officers have already been dispatched from Ludhiana to Vrindavan, officials said.
(With inputs from PTI)
