Assam: Boat capsizes after collision with ferry in Jorhat; 1 dead, several missing

Big Boat accident at nimati ghat.@PMOIndia @himantabiswa @sarbanandsonwal @DcMajuli pic.twitter.com/QOZEZNk8G9

— Pronb Jyoti Baruah (@PronabPb) September 8, 2021

Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF are carrying out search and rescue operations.

Jorhat Deputy Commissioner Ashok Barman told news agency PTI that 41 people have been rescued so far and no body has been found yet.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he has directed Majuli and Jorhat administrations to undertake rescue mission expeditiously with help of NDRF and SDRF.

I am pained at the tragic boat accident near Nimati Ghat, Jorhat.

Directed Majuli & Jorhat admin to undertake rescue mission expeditiously with help of @NDRFHQ & SDRF. Advising Min @BimalBorahbjp to immediately rush to the accident site. I’ll also visit Nimati Ghat tomorrow.

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 8, 2021

Sarma has also directed minister Bimal Bora to immediately rush to the accident site and take stock of the situation. The chief minister will visit Nimati Ghat on Thursday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and said that all possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers.

Saddened by the boat accident in Assam. All possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2021

President Ram Nath Kovind said he was deeply pained to hear about the loss of lives in a boat accident in Assam’s Jorhat district. “My thoughts go out to the victims, survivors and their families. Rescue and relief efforts are on to save as many lives as possible,” he said.

Deeply pained to hear about the loss of lives in a boat accident in Jorhat, Assam. My thoughts go out to the victims, survivors and their families. Rescue and relief efforts are on to save as many lives as possible.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 8, 2021

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed anguish over the boat tragedy and assured all help from the central government in rescue operations. Shah also spoke to the Assam CM, who briefed him about the steps taken for rescue of the victims.

Expressing deep concern over the ferry accident in Majuli, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal directed his ministry to provide all necessary help for the rescue operations. He also spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and enquired about the tragedy.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi offered condolences to the families of the victims. In a Facebook post, he said, “The news of the capsizing of ferry boat in Assam is tragic. As we await further details, I extend condolences to the family of the victims. Let’s hope the rescue operation manages to save lives in the next few hours. I appeal to local Congress teams to help in every way possible.”

Meanwhile, three senior officials of IWT Department were suspended on the charge of negligence of duty in connection with the accident, an official statement said.

The collision occurred when the private boat ‘Ma Kamala’ was headed to Majuli from Nimati Ghat and the government-owned ferry ‘Tripkai’ was coming from Majuli. The boat was also carrying several four-wheelers and two-wheelers that went down the river.

More details to follow