- Bargi Dam cruise tragedy death toll climbs to nine
- Six tourists remain missing amid large-scale rescue efforts
- Safety violations and crew negligence allegations intensify
- Madhya Pradesh government sacks staff, orders full investigation
GG News Bureau
Jabalpur, 2nd May: The death toll in the Bargi Dam cruise boat disaster in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district rose to nine on Friday after five more bodies were recovered, while rescue teams continued searching for six missing tourists.
The cruise vessel, operated by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department, capsized on Thursday evening after encountering a sudden storm, triggering one of the state’s worst tourism-related tragedies in recent years.
Rescue teams from the Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local volunteers have rescued 28 passengers so far.
Survivors have alleged serious safety lapses, including the absence of mandatory life jacket use, overcrowding concerns, and delayed crew response despite worsening weather conditions.
Eyewitnesses said strong winds created dangerous waters, while passengers’ warnings reportedly went unheeded before the vessel overturned.
In response, the Madhya Pradesh government has ordered a comprehensive probe, suspended similar cruise operations, and terminated multiple crew members over alleged negligence.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed condolences and announced that civilians involved in rescue efforts would be honoured for bravery.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia for the families of each deceased victim and ₹50,000 for the injured under the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Opposition leaders have sharply criticized the tourism department, accusing authorities of inadequate safety protocols and poor operational oversight.
