MP: Major Mishap During Ganpati Visarjan As Boat Capsizes In Bhopal; 12 Dead

An ex-gratia of Rs four lakh has been announced by the district collector for the families of those who drowned and died.

Image: ANI

New Delhi: In a major mishap which took place during the Ganesh Visarjan ritual in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal, a boat capsized at Khatlapura Ghat early Friday morning, leading to death of at least 12 devotees. As many as 19 people were on the boat which capsized after the immersion  at 4:30 am on Friday. 12 bodies have so far been recovered by the police. While some have been rescued, four people remain untraceable. An ex-gratia of Rs four lakh has been announced by the district collector for the families of those who drowned and died. Police officials have informed that other than National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Home Guards team have recovered 12  bodies which include youth and children as well. "Despite proper security arrangements, this incident took place so we will investigate the matter and try to find out the reason behind this mishap. Collector has announced an ex-gratia of Rs four lakh for the kin of those drowned and died," said PC Sharma, MP Law Minister. "At least 11 people died while six have been rescued till now. They were a member of the Ganesh immersion committee and they all were youngsters. This incident is extremely saddening. As told by the authorities, the people who have drowned were taking a huge Ganesha idol in the boat and while they were immersing it, the boat they were sitting in got tilted and later capsized," he said earlier, when the toll was at 11. Efforts to trace missing bodies are going on.

Madhya Pradesh: 11 bodies recovered at Khatlapura Ghat in Bhopal after the boat they were in, capsized this morning. Search operation is underway. More details awaited. pic.twitter.com/mEMSJdzhE9

— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2019

(This is a breaking news story; more details are awaited)