Gujarat Horror : 13 School Children, Two Teachers died in Boat Capsize in Vadodara Harni Lake

Vadodara : On Thursday afternoon, a boat carrying schoolchildren and teachers overturned at Motnath Lake, Harani, Vadodara, turning an otherwise joyful day into a terrifying tragedy. The tragedy left the community in sadness and astonishment as 12 people, including 10 students and 2 teachers, lost their lives.

Students from New Sunrise School in Vadodara went on a school trip to Motnath Lake. Ignoring safety precautions, the boat carried more people than its allowed capacity, setting sail for an apparently innocent joyride around the lake. However, calamity occurred halfway through the voyage. The overcrowded boat, which apparently lacked sufficient safety measures, abruptly overturned, throwing its passengers into the murky water.

Panic sprang out as shouts filled the air. The fire department was promptly notified, and rescue crews hurried to the area. A frenzied struggle to rescue lives occurred, with divers racing against the clock to extract survivors from the sea. While 23 children and four instructors were saved, the dismal truth became apparent as the search proceeded. By the evening, it was revealed that 12 people had died in the disaster, the bulk of them were youngsters.

Chief Minister expresses condolences and orders relief:

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel resorted to Twitter to express his sadness and sympathies. “We are devastated by the drowning of youngsters when the boat capsized in Vadodara’s Harni lake. I pray for peace in the spirits of the innocent children that died. “My heartfelt condolences to their families,” he said, asking the government to offer quick assistance and care to the surviving.

Ami Rawat, the Leader of the Opposition in the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), has expressed severe concerns regarding carelessness and safety violations. “Had the children and teachers worn life jackets, this tragedy could have been avoided,” she said, emphasising the probable absence of sufficient safety equipment onboard. Rawat also chastised the authorities, citing a similar event in Sursagar years earlier in which safety precautions were promised but seemingly not followed.

“It is reported that more children than the boat capacity were boarded, raising doubts about basic safety protocols being followed,” she said, doubting the quality of life jackets, claiming that even those wearing them could not be rescued. Rawat urged harsh punishment for those guilty, emphasising that endangering the safety of children was inexcusable.

As rescue efforts ended, an inquiry into the cause of the capsize was initiated. Authorities are investigating allegations of overburden, equipment failure, and probable carelessness. The quality of life jackets and adherence to safety requirements are also under review.