Patna, Aug 26 — A boat with 21 labourers aboard capsized during anti-erosion work along the Ganga River in Bihar's Bhagalpur district on Wednesday, and while 19 were rescued, two are still missing, officials said.
The incident occurred in Raghopur block under Naugachia sub-division in Bhagalpur. Workers from areas including Ghogha, Ismailpur, and Parbatta were among those travelling on the boat.
After receiving information about the accident, the local administration and police reached the site along with a State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) team, equipped with motorboats and life jackets, and launched a search.
Local divers and villagers also assisted the authorities.
According to the latest information shared by District Magistrate Alankrita Pandey, the SDRF team rescued 19 people, while two others, identified as Sikandar Mandal and Badal Mandal, are still unaccounted for. The search operation is continuing.
DM Pandey visited the accident site and reviewed the rescue and flood control operations.
The Bhagalpur administration has taken a strict stance following the boat accident.
Taking the alleged violation of safety protocols seriously, the DM directed the Water Resources Department to register a case against the contractors and vendors concerned.
The work was being carried out under the direction of the Water Resources Department by contractor Rajkumar Singh.
The DM said instructions had already been issued to ensure that labourers working on boats were provided with and wore life jackets.
The administration believes that a lapse in following these safety measures contributed to the accident, prompting action against those responsible.
Following the incident, the administration has prohibited the use of boats for transporting materials during flood control operations. Tractors will now be used to transport geo-bags to erosion-prone locations.
Officials have also been directed to strictly enforce safety protocols during all ongoing flood-control and anti-erosion work.
The DM further made it clear that no person below 18 years of age will be permitted to participate in the hazardous work.
Engineers have been instructed to accelerate anti-erosion work, particularly as the Ganga's water level remains around the danger mark.
Raghopur is the ancestral village of Bihar Energy Minister Shailesh Kumar, alias Bulo Mandal.