“No Time to React”: Survivors Describe Moment Boat Flipped in Yamuna

Mathura: A tragic boat accident in the Vrindavan area of Mathura claimed at least 10 lives on Friday after a tourist vessel overturned in the Yamuna River, with several people still unaccounted for.

The victims were largely pilgrims from Punjab who had travelled to the twin temple towns for a धार्मिक visit. Eyewitnesses described a sudden jolt moments before the boat lost balance and flipped, throwing passengers into the water.

Among those affected was Vijay Bahl from Ludhiana, who lost close family members in the tragedy. He recounted that passengers were forced to change boats midstream after one developed a technical problem. Shortly after, the situation escalated rapidly.

He described how the vessel was struck forcefully, causing it to overturn within seconds, leaving little time for passengers to react.

Another survivor from Ludhiana raised concerns over hazardous conditions in the river, alleging that remnants of a structure were present in the water. According to him, the boatman attempted to navigate around or push away the obstruction, which may have triggered the accident. He also claimed that emergency assistance did not arrive immediately.

Officials suspect that leftover parts of a dismantled pontoon bridge could have contributed to the mishap. Preliminary findings indicate that submerged drums or floating components might have destabilized the boat upon impact.

Authorities clarified that a detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.

Relatives of the victims said their loved ones were enjoying the trip shortly before the accident. Some mentioned receiving calls and videos expressing happiness just hours before the tragedy unfolded, making the loss even more devastating.

According to initial reports, the accident occurred around 3 pm near the popular Keshi Ghat when a boat carrying around 30 passengers reportedly lost balance after hitting an object in the river.

Senior police officials stated that while the collision appears to be the immediate cause, a thorough probe will confirm the sequence of events.

A massive rescue effort is ongoing, involving teams from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, police, and fire services. Army personnel have also joined the operation to assist in search efforts.

More than a dozen people have been rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals, while divers continue to search for those missing.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences over the loss of lives.

The Prime Minister announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured. Punjab and Uttar Pradesh governments are coordinating to ensure support for affected families.