The search operation for four missing individuals following the Bargi Dam cruise boat accident in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district is ongoing despite challenging weather conditions and strong water currents. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Army are involved in the coordinated search effort. Divers and boats have been deployed across an expanded search area since 7:00 A.M. to locate the missing persons.
The rescue operation faces disruptions due to strong winds and rising waves in the reservoir, leading to intermittent halts to ensure the safety of the personnel involved. Officials emphasized the need for cautious execution of the search plan under these challenging conditions. SDOP Anjul Ayank Mishra highlighted the necessity for phased search operations due to unstable weather conditions and the risk associated with continuous operations involving smaller boats.
SDOP Lokesh Dawar, overseeing the ground operation, confirmed the collaborative efforts of all agencies, including NDRF, SDRF, and the Army, in the search operation. The diving team has been actively involved in the search, but as of now, no additional survivors or bodies have been found. The submerged cruise boat was retrieved from the dam on Friday evening using heavy machinery, and subsequent dismantling on-site was conducted for a thorough inspection.
Senior officials, including the Principal Secretary of the Tourism Department Ilaiyaraaja T., the Jabalpur Collector, and the Superintendent of Police, monitored the coordination between rescue agencies and administrative teams during the operation. The district administration is making arrangements to transport the bodies of two deceased victims to Tamil Nadu, with plans for airlifting them to Trichy via Coimbatore after coordination with the families. The incident involved 15 members of a family, including Kamaraj Arya, an employee of the Ordnance Factory Khamaria, whose 10-year-old son was the sole survivor rescued after being swept ashore.
