Chandigarh, April 10 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann spoke to his Uttar Pradesh counterpart Yogi Adityanath after a boat carrying tourists, primarily from Punjab, capsized in the Yamuna River in Vrindavan on Friday, resulting in at least 10 deaths.
According to an official statement issued here, Mann has been in constant contact with the Uttar Pradesh government to coordinate relief and rescue operations.
Most of the victims were from Jagraon, a town in Ludhiana.
"Today, a boat carrying residents of Jagraon (Punjab) for a pilgrimage to Vrindavan capsized in the Yamuna River near Mathura, carrying 32 people... I am deeply saddened to inform you that some devotees have died due to drowning," Mann said in a post on X.
"I spoke with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Ji... all possible assistance will be provided to the victims. I am in contact with the Uttar Pradesh government...," the Punjab CM added.
A boat carrying tourists, primarily from Punjab, capsized in the Yamuna River in Vrindavan on Friday afternoon, resulting in at least 10 deaths and several others missing, officials said.
The accident occurred near Kesi Ghat when the boat, carrying over two dozen tourists, entered deeper waters and collided with a floating pontoon, they said.
Authorities noted that a pontoon bridge had recently been dismantled in the area due to rising water levels, leaving some pontoon drums in the river, one of which the boat is believed to have collided with.
District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh initially reported six fatalities, and later rescuers recovered four more bodies, bringing the death toll to 10, district administration officials confirmed.
Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu also expressed shock and grief at the incident.
"I am extremely shocked by the tragic news of the boat accident involving devotees from Jagraon in Vrindavan. No words can express the pain of losing a loved one during a spiritual journey," Bittu said in a post on X.
Bittu said that the administration is working tirelessly on-site for relief and rescue.
"I pray for the departed souls and for the safety of all the devotees," he wrote on X.
Extending his condolences, CM Bhagwant Mann said, "I offer my heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families, relatives, and friends. I pray to the Almighty to give them the strength to overcome this irreparable loss and grant eternal peace to the departed souls."
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini described the incident as extremely tragic and heart-wrenching.
"The news of the loss of lives in this accident is profoundly painful," Saini said in a post on X in Hindi.
"...My deepest condolences are with all the grieving families. At the same time, I pray for the swift recovery of the injured," Saini said.
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal also expressed deep grief at the tragedy.
"My heartfelt condolences to the grieving families, and I pray for the safe rescue of all those still missing," Badal said in a post on X.
Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said he was deeply saddened by the heartbreaking tragedy in Vrindavan.
"Reports of deaths and missing persons are extremely distressing and have shaken us all.
"My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I am praying for the safe return of those who are missing and for strength to the grieving families in this difficult time," he wrote on X.
