Srinagar, April 16: In a harrowing incident on Tuesday, tragedy struck as a boat carrying school children capsized in the Jhelum River in Srinagar, sparking a frantic rescue operation amid fears of casualties.
Reports indicate that the boat was ferrying children across the Jhelum River from Gandbal to Batwara in Kashmir capital Srinagar when the unfortunate incident occurred. However, all the students onboard were rescued and promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Confirming the rescue operation, a police officer said that a case has been registered in connection with the incident, with further investigations underway to determine the cause of the boat’s capsizing.
According to officials, a total of 12 children have been rescued from the river and are currently receiving medical care at the hospital. However, questions have arisen regarding the circumstances leading to the overcrowding of the boat and the exact number of children onboard at the time of the incident.
Reports quoting sources have hinted that three children might have lost their lives in the tragedy. However, a top police official said that they can only confirm the death of the boat owner so far.
Further details regarding the incident are awaited as authorities continue their investigation into the tragic event.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Bilal Mohiuddin said that the rescue operation is still underway and that they are looking for any missing children.
SDRF commandant Srinagar said that they have deployed two teams, one from SDRF Jhelum and other from Battalion HQs. He said NDRF team will be deployed shortly. “Exact number of those onboard is not known yet,” he said.