On Camera, Screams, Survivors’ Desperation In Assam Boat Tragedy

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Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reached Jorhat, around 350 km from Guwahati, this morning to oversee rescue operations following the boat tragedy within the Brahmaputra that resulted within the death of a minimum of one person. Nearly 100 passengers were on board two boats once they crashed into one another at Nimati Ghat in Jorhat on Wednesday. The incident happened around 4 pm.
“There were a minimum of 90 people. One died and two are reported missing. Eighty-seven people are rescued thus far ,” Mr Sarma told reporters after visiting the accident site.

He added that a magisterial probe are going to be ordered into the incident. Three officials of the inland water transport department are suspended after the accident.

“I have asked the Jorhat Police to file a criminal case for the accident. By today evening, we’ll announce a high-level probe to seek out out the explanations behind the accident,” he said.

The All India Unorganized Workers Congress, an arm of the Congress party, released a video that captured the instant the 2 boats collided. Passengers in one among the boats, including women, are heard screaming in horror and later jumping into the river because the boat begins to capsize. a number of them are seen trying to swim to the opposite boat, which appears to be stable.

One of the boats, a ferry travel by the govt , was coming from Majuli (a river island district) to Nimati Ghat with around 90 people on board while the other was getting into the opposite direction.

All rescued passengers were on board the smaller of the 2 boats, which was operated by a personal operator. Officials said the larger boat – travel by the government – didn’t capsize.

Rescue operations intensified this morning with the national and state disaster response forces (NDRF, SDRF) responsible .

At 3 am, rescuers had cut open the boat to seem for survivors but only found belongings, officials said.

41 personnel, including nine SDRF deep divers, are conducting the search operations with seven rescue boats. An NDRF team of 167 personnel is additionally involved, with 24 rescue boats.

The NDRF has also deployed 30 deep divers.

The Air Force is conducting aerial surveillance with its helicopters engaged in low-lying sorties over the Brahmaputra as they appear for survivors.

The Army has also sent a team of divers to help disaster response teams within the operation .

Assam has issued emergency numbers following the accident.

Eight people are in hospital. A 30-year-old woman who was rescued died at the hospital.

For any emergency or information regarding missing person in Nimatighat boat mishap, kindly call to the Toll Free number:
1070/1079 (State Emergency Operation Centre)
1077 (District Emergency Operation Centre)
-Assam State Disaster Management Authority