Tragic Boat Capsizes in Assam: 3 Dead, Including 10-Year-Old Boy
Tragic Boat Capsizes in Assam: 3 Dead, Including 10-Year-Old Boy
A devastating boat accident in Assam's Lakhimpur district claims three lives, including a young boy. Locals raise concerns about safety measures on rivers. Read more about the tragic incident.
A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday in Assam’s Lakhimpur district, where a country boat capsized, leading to the deaths of three individuals, including a 10-year-old boy. The victims, identified as Ajit Dutta (25), Podma Dutta (50), and Midhusmi Dutta (10), were all relatives from Deolia Gaon and none reportedly knew how to swim.
The accident occurred around 9:30 AM in the Merbil area. According to onlookers, the small dinghy was crossing the Merbil River when it suddenly overturned due to a strong current. The three were en route to a market, carrying a few goats, when the disaster struck.
Local residents and a team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) swiftly launched a rescue operation, recovering the three individuals within an hour. However, they were unconscious upon retrieval and were rushed to the Ghilamara Block Primary Health Centre (BPHC). Tragically, doctors on duty declared all three dead on arrival.
The incident has sparked outrage among locals, who allege that boats operating on the river frequently disregard basic safety regulations. They claim that many small boats often carry more passengers than their capacity allows, highlighting a severe lack of oversight from the local administration.
Small boats often carry twice their capacity, and the local administration does not keep a proper watch on them,
residents voiced.
Lakhimpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gunendra Deka confirmed that a legal inquest into the deaths was conducted by the circle officer of the Subansiri Revenue Circle at Ghilamara BPHC.
The bodies have since been sent to Lakhimpur Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
Police are actively investigating the cause of the unfortunate event and examining the safety measures implemented by boat operators, while also recording statements from witnesses.
This heartbreaking event serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for stricter enforcement of river safety protocols to prevent such tragedies in the future.
