Thirteen children died when a boat capsized on the Ganges River in India while they were heading to a Hindu festival.
According to AFP, the incident occurred on the night of October 13 in the Vaishali district of eastern Bihar.
The accident resulted in the deaths of 13 children. Six others were rescued, but two of them are in critical condition.
Residents living near the accident site used the light from their mobile phones to search for bodies in the darkness.
Ravi Yadav, a local resident who participated in the rescue efforts, said, "In the dark night, after the boat capsized, I heard the screams of children calling for help. It was dark, and we managed to rescue a few children using the light from our phones and flashlights."
AFP reported that the passengers were on their way to a Hindu festival at the time of the accident.
Another resident, Ram Lakhan Rai, testified, "The boat was small and in poor condition, so it was overcrowded with people."
Local police are investigating the specific cause of the accident, speaking with witnesses.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences in a statement, saying, "The loss of life in the boat capsizing incident is very heartbreaking," and announced that the families of the deceased would receive compensation of 200,000 rupees (approximately $2,800).
In India, which has the largest population in the world, boat accidents frequently occur due to overcrowding and failure to adhere to safety regulations.
In April, a tourist boat carrying about 40 people capsized on the Narmada River in central Madhya Pradesh, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals, including children and women. In January of the previous year, a boat capsized during an outdoor learning trip, leading to the deaths of 12 students and two teachers, with overcrowding cited as the cause.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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