Vaishali, Bihar: A tragic boat accident in the Ganga River in Bihar’s Vaishali district claimed the lives of 13 children on Tuesday night, October 13, 2026. The incident occurred near Rampur Shyamchand village in the Raghopur area when a boat carrying children capsized while they were travelling to attend a feast in a neighbouring village.
According to reports, around 20 to 24 people were aboard the boat when it overturned in the river at approximately 8:30 pm. The accident triggered panic in the area, prompting local residents and rescue teams to launch an immediate search operation.
Seven Girls from the Same Family Among the Dead
The tragedy has devastated several families in the village, with seven girls from the same family reportedly among those who lost their lives. Most of the victims were below 15 years of age, making the incident particularly heartbreaking for the local community.
Following the accident, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local divers and villagers participated in rescue efforts. Several people were rescued and taken to hospital for medical treatment. Authorities said the condition of the rescued individuals was being monitored, while search operations continued to determine whether anyone remained missing.
15-Year-Old Girl Reportedly Saves Two Lives
Amid the tragedy, reports about a teenage girl who reportedly helped save two people have drawn attention to acts of courage during the emergency. Her efforts highlight the importance of quick action and assistance from local residents during water-related disasters.
The circumstances surrounding the rescue are still subject to further confirmation.
Government Announces Financial Assistance
The Bihar government announced financial assistance of ₹4 lakh for the family of each deceased person. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced compensation of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased person from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Injured individuals are eligible for assistance of ₹50,000 each.
The district administration and rescue teams continued their efforts following the accident. The incident has once again highlighted concerns about passenger safety, boat conditions and precautions required when travelling across rivers.
The loss of so many young lives has left the affected families and the wider community in deep mourning.
