Tragedy struck last week as at least 14 school students and two teachers drowned when their boat capsized in Harni Lake on the outskirts of Vadodara, Gujarat, according to media reports.
The victims, from a private school, were on a picnic. The boat, designed for 16 persons, was carrying 34 passengers during the incident, as reported by an unidentified police official. Of the occupants, 30 were students aged between 12 to 13 years, and the remaining four were teachers.
Among the occupants, 18 students and two teachers were successfully rescued, and one student has been hospitalised at Sir Sayajirao General Hospital for treatment, as reported by an unidentified police official. The National Disaster Response Force stated that the rescue operation faced challenges due to the sludge accumulated on the lake bed.
Responding to the incident, the Gujarat home department has instructed the Vadodara district magistrate to conduct an investigation and submit a report within 10 days. The investigation aims to determine whether the accident resulted from negligence, according to media reports.
Panna Momaya, the deputy commissioner of police, informed the media that a first information report has been filed against five individuals. They are charged under Indian Penal Code Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to culpable homicide), and 337 (rash or negligent act endangering human life).
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated that he has directed the district administration to promptly offer relief and treatment to those who were rescued.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 50,000 to them.