Bargi Dam boat tragedy: Death toll rises to nine after capsize

MP, May 2, 2026, Bhopal: The death toll in the tragic capsizing of a Madhya Pradesh Tourism-operated cruise boat in the Bargi Dam reservoir rose to nine on Friday, as rescue teams recovered five more bodies in the early hours of the day.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening when the boat, carrying around 29 tourists and two crew members, suddenly overturned due to a severe storm, accompanied by strong winds and high waves, in the Narmada backwaters near Khamariya Island. The vessel sank rapidly, triggering a large-scale rescue operation.

Tourism Minister Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi said that four bodies were recovered on Thursday, while five were found in the early hours of Friday, taking the toll to nine. As many as 22 people have been rescued so far, he added.

According to officials, search operations by teams from the NDRF, SDRF, Army divers, and local police continued on Friday to trace any remaining missing persons.

Survivors have alleged lapses in safety protocols, claiming that life jackets were not properly distributed before the trip and were handed out only after the boat began tilting, leading to panic.

One emotional account described rescuers finding a mother and her four-year-old son’s bodies still clutched together inside the sunken vessel. They were part of a family of four tourists from Delhi; the father and daughter managed to escape the horrific accident.

The Bargi Dam is located on the Narmada River in Jabalpur district. On Friday, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav rushed to the spot and met grieving family members as well as rescued tourists who had been hospitalised.

The CM expressed deep sorrow and announced Rs 4 lakh compensation for the families of each deceased. He said senior ministers, including Public Works Minister Rakesh Singh and Tourism Minister Lodhi, were personally monitoring the rescue and relief operations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the tragedy and announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PM National Relief Fund for the kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

In response to the incident, the state government has ordered a high-level probe into possible negligence and has banned all cruise boat operations across the state until further notice. The Tourism Minister assured strict action if any safety violations are found.