5 min readVadodaraJan 19, 2024 11:51 AM IST
First published on: Jan 18, 2024 at 06:45 PM IST
At least 12 schoolchildren, in the age group of 10-13 years, and two teachers died after a boat overturned in Harni Lake of Vadodara, during a school picnic on Thursday.
While the boat had a capacity to carry 16 passengers, police said it had 34 occupants — 30 students and four teachers — at the time of the incident. Eighteen students and two teachers were rescued after the capsize.
The NDRF said the sludge at the bottom of the lake hampered rescue operations.
According to preliminary reports, the students from New Sunrise School arrived at the spot at about 4.30 pm on Thursday and boarded the boat, as part of a school picnic. A total of 60 students were part of the excursion, said sources.
“The children arrived at the lake at 4.30 pm and, accompanied by their teachers, boarded the boat… In case of children drowning, even a delay of two or three minutes underwater can result in death,” said VMC standing committee chairperson, Dr Sheetal Mistry.
The students arrived from New Sunrise School in Panigate at 4.30 pm on Thursday and boarded a boat having a seating capacity of 16. (Express photo by Bhupendra Rana)
The boating facility at Harni Lake, called Lake Zone, is run by a private company called Kotia Projects, under a Public Private Partnership contract with the Vadodara Municipal Corporation after a beautification project in 2016.
Police said two persons, including the manager of the facility, have been arrested. An FIR was lodged at the Harni police station against M/s Kotia Projects, under IPC Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to culpable homicide), and 337 (rash or negligent act endangering human life).
Deputy Commissioner of Police Panna Momaya confirmed that an FIR has been lodged against M/s Kotia Projects, including its owner.
In an order issued at night, the state home department ordered an inquiry headed by the Vadodara District Magistrate. Besides probing the cause and circumstances under which the incident happened, it will also check if there was any negligence or carelessness on the part of the local administration, contractor, or anybody else. The government has sought an inquiry report within 10 days.
Speaking to The Indian Express, a relative of a girl who died said her parents were “shattered and numb”. “No one expected that a fun picnic would turn into a tragedy… The guilty should be punished – from the school management to the contractor to VMC officials,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed, and Rs 50,000 for the injured. “Distressed by the loss of lives due 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,” he tweeted.
“The incident of the boat overturning in Harni Lake in Vadodara is heartrending. I pray for the souls of the innocent children who have been killed. I send my condolences to the families who are in pain… may God grant them the strength to bear this pain… We have directed the administration to ensure immediate relief and treatment to those who have become victims of this tragedy,” Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel tweeted.
Around six of those who were pulled out were taken to the SSG hospital, which confirmed that a boy and two girls, all aged 15, and two teachers aged 45 were brought dead. (Express photo by Bhupendra Rana)
“It is a painful accident which happened because of criminal negligence by the contractor as well as the officers, who should have supervised the site. The police must book a case of culpable homicide against all those who are responsible for this,” said Ami Ravat, Opposition leader in the VMC, who arrived at the spot.
As part of an initiative to revitalise river tourism and enhance livelihoods, the Uttar Pradesh government is rolling out storytelling modules for boatmen operating in religious and heritage hotspots. (Express photo by Bhupendra Rana) 
The students arrived from New Sunrise School in Panigate at 4.30 pm on Thursday and boarded a boat having a seating capacity of 16. (Express photo by Bhupendra Rana)
Around six of those who were pulled out were taken to the SSG hospital, which confirmed that a boy and two girls, all aged 15, and two teachers aged 45 were brought dead. (Express photo by Bhupendra Rana)
Share
