Key Highlights
- Casualties: 10 confirmed dead, including six men and four women.
- Rescues: 22 individuals were safely pulled from the water; several remain hospitalized.
- Victims: The group consisted of approximately 150 devotees from Ludhiana and Muktsar, Punjab.
- Cause: Collision with a floating pontoon drum near Keshi Ghat amid strong winds.
- Official Action: NDRF, SDRF, and Army personnel are conducting ongoing search operations.
A somber atmosphere has descended upon the holy city of Vrindavan following a catastrophic boat accident on Friday, April 10, 2026. At approximately 3:00 PM, a vessel carrying over 30 devotees capsized in the Yamuna River near the iconic Keshi Ghat. The pilgrims, who had traveled from Ludhiana and Muktsar in Punjab, were reportedly crossing the river toward the Devraha Baba Math when the tragedy occurred.
According to Mathura District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh and SP (Rural) Suresh Chandra Rawat, the boat lost balance due to high wind speeds and strong currents. Witnesses reported that the vessel swayed violently before crashing into a floating pontoon drum, a remnant of a recently dismantled bridge. The impact caused the boat to overturn instantly, plunging all passengers into the deep, fast, flowing waters of the Yamuna.
Rescue Operations and Survivor Accounts
Upon receiving the alert, local authorities mobilized a massive rescue effort involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and a team of nearly 50 local divers. While 22 people were rescued within the first few hours, the death toll has since risen to ten.
Survivors have provided harrowing accounts of the moments leading up to the capsize. One pilgrim from Ludhiana alleged that passengers had repeatedly warned the private boat operator about the approaching pontoon bridge, but the warnings were ignored. The vessel reportedly narrowly avoided collision twice before the final, fatal impact. Following the crash, the boatman allegedly fled the scene, and police are currently working to locate him.
Government Response and Aid
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have both expressed their profound grief over the incident. In a statement, the Chief Minister described the loss of life as “heart-wrenching” and directed district officials to ensure that the injured receive the highest standard of medical care at the Vrindavan Joint Hospital and Ramakrishna Mission Hospital.
CM Yogi has also ordered a high-level investigation into the cause of the accident, specifically looking into potential overloading and the failure to remove hazardous pontoon drums from the river path. Financial assistance for the bereaved families and the injured is expected to be announced shortly. As of Friday evening, search operations continue, with divers scouring the riverbed for any individuals who may still be missing, though fading light and high water levels have complicated the efforts.
