Assam Boat Collison: One Dead, 87 Rescued. Police To File Criminal Case | Key Points

Assam Boat Accident News: Three officials of the inland water transport department have been placed under suspension for alleged negligence of duty and a probe has been ordered in the incident.

Two boats, coming from different directions in the Brahmaputra river, on Wednesday collided with each other near Nimati Ghat in Assam’s Jorhat district. Rescue operation is underway (Image: ANI)

New Delhi: At least one person died and 2 others went missing after a boat carrying 90 passengers collided with a ferry steamer and sank in the Brahmaputra river near Nimati Ghat in Jorhat district of Assam on Wednesday, according to a report by PTI.

There has been no official statement on the number of people who have drowned in the river.

The accident occurred when the private boat 'Ma Kamala' was headed to Majuli from Nimati Ghat and ferry 'Tripkai', operated by the state's Inland Water Transport (IWT) Department, was coming from the riverine island.

"The boat capsized and sank," an official of the IWT Department said.

Another IWT official said that  many of them were rescued by lifeguards on 'Tripkai'.

The Centre has assured all help to Assam government in rescuing people.

Here are the latest updates:

• A woman died in hospital after she was rescued from the river, Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) Chief Executive Officer Gyanendra Tripathi told PTI.
• The deceased was identified as Porimita Das who hails from Guwahati and was working as a faculty in a college in Majuli.
• Three more persons are undergoing treatment at the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital, a senior doctor said.
• As per the state's report, 87 people have been rescued and 2 are still missing, informed the Assam Disaster Management Authority.
• Jorhat Deputy Commissioner Ashok Barman told PTI that nobody has been recovered from the water yet. "After sinking, it swept around 1.5 km away and stuck in the bed of the river. The boat is upside down now and we are not able to turn it around. Once we can do that, we will be able to see if anybody is stuck there," he added.
• The Army will join the operations on Thursday morning with some advanced machines, Barman said. The NDRF and SDRF have started a rescue and search operation, but they are facing difficulties as it was pitch dark.
• Three officials of the Inland Water Transport (IWT) Department have been placed under suspension for alleged negligence of duty, while senior ministers admitted that there were lapses and the "guilty" will be punished.
• The ASDMA has opened helpline numbers to disseminate information related to the accident. These are 1070, 1079, and 1077, as mentioned in the PTI report.
• Departmental action has been ordered by the state government with Assam Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that steps will be taken against those found guilty. The minister is also on the way to the accident site to take stock of the situation and is also closely monitoring the ongoing rescue and relief operations. Secretary, Transport, Jadav Saikia has been directed to inquire into the accident.
• Officials of the IWT Department said only one ramp at Nimati Ghat is functioning at present as the water level in the Brahmaputra is high due to monsoon rains.

• After the Brahmaputra boat tragedy, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that single-engine private boats have been banned from operating to Majuli and the govt will subsidy for purchase of marine engines

• Assam CM also said that police will file a criminal case in Brahmaputra boat capsize and a high-level probe will be conducted to ascertain the reasons.

"As only one ramp is operational, any outgoing ferry has to give way to the incoming one. 'Ma Kamala' had to leave the ghat to give way to Tripkai. After it had gone just a few metres, the two collided," an official said.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the boat accident.

"My thoughts go out to the victims, survivors, and their families. Rescue and relief efforts are on to save as many lives as possible, Kovind said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and added that all possible efforts would be made to rescue the passengers. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed anguish over the incident.

Responding to PM Modi's tweet, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he is personally supervising the rescue operations.

"All the injured are being diligently attended to," he added in a tweet.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah called up the chief minister to enquire about the accident and took an update on the rescue operations and conditions of those rescued so far.

In a statement, Assam Governor Jagdish Mukhi expressed concern over the accident and said the state government with its men and materials has launched a massive rescue operation.

"All possible steps are being taken to rescue the victims and give adequate medical attention to the rescued people," he added.

The chief minister too expressed deep concern over the boat accident and directed the district administrations of Majuli and Jorhat districts to undertake rescue missions expeditiously with the help of NDRF and SDRF.

The chief minister will visit Nimati Ghat today.

Union Minister of Shipping, Ports, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, who hails from Assam, also expressed deep anguish and concern about the accident in the Brahmaputra.

He spoke with Sarma over the phone and took stock of the ongoing rescue and relief operations.

"Officials of the Ministry have been directed to provide all necessary support to help the victims," a statement from Sonowal's office said.