Bihar Boat Accident: 13 Dead After Boat Capsizes in Vaishali; PM Modi Announces ₹2 Lakh Aid

VAISHALI, BIHAR: At least 13 people, most of them children, died after a boat carrying passengers capsized in the Ganga River in Bihar’s Vaishali district on Tuesday night, October 13, 2026. The incident occurred near Rampur Shyamchand panchayat in the Raghopur police station area while the passengers were travelling to attend a feast following a death in a local family.

The tragedy triggered panic in the area, with residents rushing to the riverbank to help rescue those trapped in the water. Police, district officials, local divers and disaster response teams joined the rescue operation.

How the Boat Accident Happened

According to reports, the passengers were travelling in a small boat to attend a feast at the home of Singheshwar Rai near Mata Maharani Sthan in Bhagtan Tola. The boat reportedly capsized in the middle of the river at around 8:30 pm.

Initial reports gave varying estimates of the number of people aboard, with more than 20 passengers believed to have been travelling in the boat. The exact circumstances that caused it to capsize remain subject to official investigation.

Local residents helped pull people out of the water before they were taken to the Primary Health Centre in Raghopur Fatehpur. The incident left families searching anxiously for their children and relatives.

13 People Dead, Search and Rescue Operations Continue

According to reports published late on October 13 and early on October 14, the death toll had reached 13. Seven rescued people were reported to have been referred for further medical treatment, while concerns remained about additional people who might still be missing.

Vaishali District Magistrate Varsha Singh and senior police officials reached the affected area to oversee the response. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local divers and other personnel participated in the rescue operation.

The search continued amid concerns that the number of casualties could change as officials accounted for everyone who had been aboard the boat.

Villagers Raise Questions About the Boat’s Condition

Some villagers alleged that the boat involved in the accident was in a dilapidated condition. Questions were also raised about the circumstances in which passengers were allowed to travel in it.

These claims require verification by the authorities. The precise cause of the accident, including whether the boat was overcrowded or structurally unsafe, should be established through an official inquiry rather than assumed before the investigation is complete.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about passenger safety during river crossings, particularly in areas where communities depend on small boats to travel between settlements.

PM Modi Expresses Grief, Announces ₹2 Lakh Assistance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the Vaishali boat accident. In a statement shared by the Prime Minister’s Office, he conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased person. Those injured in the incident will receive ₹50,000 each under the announced assistance.

Bihar Government Announces ₹4 Lakh Compensation

Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also expressed grief over the tragedy and announced ₹4 lakh in financial assistance for the family of each deceased person.

He directed officials to expedite rescue operations and ensure proper medical treatment for the injured.

If both announced assistance measures are applicable and disbursed to a family, the combined amount would be ₹6 lakh per deceased person—₹4 lakh from the Bihar government and ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF.

Questions Over Passenger Safety

Beyond the immediate rescue effort, the accident raises questions about boat safety, passenger capacity, maintenance and the availability of safe transport for people living in riverine areas.

An official investigation will be important to determine the cause of the capsizing, establish whether safety rules were followed and identify any lapses that contributed to the deaths.

For the affected families, however, the immediate priority remains the recovery of any missing people, medical assistance for survivors and the completion of the necessary procedures for compensation.

The Vaishali tragedy is a painful reminder of the risks faced by communities that rely on small boats for everyday travel. Ensuring safe vessels, appropriate passenger limits and effective emergency response is essential to preventing similar disasters.