Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced financial assistance for the affected families.
In a post shared by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on X, PM Modi described the loss of lives in the Vaishali boat accident as deeply painful. He said his thoughts were with the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
The PMO announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased person. Those injured in the accident will receive Rs 50,000 each.
The loss of lives in the boat capsizing incident in Vaishali, Bihar, is deeply painful. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this difficult time. I pray for the speedy recovery of all those injured. The local administration is assisting those affected.
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 13, 2026
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the family of each deceased person.
#WATCH | Bihar | Four children, who were rescued from the boat capsize incident in Raghopur Diara area of Vaishali district, recount the incident.
“There were 25 people on the boat, including me. I was rescued by my grandfather,” says Ashwini Kumar.
“There was a small hole in the boat through which the water started seeping in. When the boat started going down, more water started coming in. Ultimately, it capsized. Those who could not get off the boat on time, could not survive. I held on to the feet of a man; he hoisted me up on his shoulders. He called another man, he gave me a thick branch of a tree to hold on to, he then swam with me and brought me to the shore. That is how I survived..,” says Aditya Kumar.
“There were around 20 people on the boat. Suddenly, it started capsizing. There was a hole in the boat. I jumped into the water before it entirely capsized. My grandfather saved me. Others with me drowned,” says Abhiraj.
“There was a hole in the boat. So, water started seeping in. One man tried to throw out the water but when we reached a little further, the water started coming in faster. Ultimately, the entire boat was filled with water. It then capsized..,” says Ansh.
— ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2026
#WATCH | Hajipur, Bihar: The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has launched a massive search and rescue operation in the Ganga River following the capsizing of an overcrowded boat near Rampur Shyamchand village in the Raghopur constituency late Tuesday evening.
At least 13 children died in the incident.
— ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2026
Tejashwi Yadav expresses grief
Bihar Leader of Opposition and Raghopur MLA Tejashwi Yadav expressed grief over the tragedy on Tuesday.
In a post on X, Yadav said several people had died after the boat capsized while passengers were returning from a meal. He cited reports of 14 bodies being recovered, six people being referred to hospital and three people being safe at the time of his statement.
The varying figures reported during the rescue operation underlined the need for an updated official account of the casualties.
The tragedy has left several families mourning the loss of children and raised urgent questions about transport safety in flood-affected villages. With boats serving as a lifeline for many communities, residents’ concerns now centre on whether ageing vessels are being properly maintained and whether adequate precautions are being taken to prevent such disasters.
The rescue operation continued as authorities searched for missing people and worked to establish the full circumstances of the accident.
(With inputs from agencies)