In a tragic incident on Wednesday, two ferries with more than 100 passengers collided in Assam’s Majuli and were reported to have capsized in the Brahmaputra river. The incident occurred less than a week after ferry services resumed in Majuli.
“Boats capsized at Majuli following a head-on collision. Over 100 people have been rescued so far. 120 passengers are travelling in the boats. NDRF and SDRF are carrying out rescue operations,” said GD Tripathi, CEO, ASDMA.
The incident took place in Nimatighat between Majuli and Jorhat. According to a report by Kaziranga National Park Officials, the water there was still above the danger level.
NDRF and SDRF teams have started rescue operations as many are feared to have drowned, as per initial reports.
The ferry Maa Kamala carrying 120 people was moving from Nimatighat (Jorhat) to Kamalabari and IWT boat Tripkai was moving from Kamalabari to Jorhat. About 35 vehicles have been lost in the accident. 32 people have been recovered by rescue teams so far.
Over 100 people have been rescued to far.
The incident occurred less than a week after ferry services resumed in Majuli. The service in Nimatighat was suspended for 5 days due to the increasing level of water in the Brahmaputra there.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has told the Principal Secretary to monitor developments round-the-clock. Sarma will visit Majuli on Thursday for evaluating the situation.
The Chief Minister took to Twitter announcing his visit to Nimati Ghat tomorrow. He further asked the state minister of Tourism Bimal Borah to rush to the accident site immediately and directed Majuli and Jorhat administration to undertake rescue missions expeditiously with the help of NDRF and SDRF.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, in another tweet, directed DCs of Jorhat and Majuli to undertake relief and rescue operations on a war footing with help from Rescue Forces, already scouting the area. The number of victims is still being ascertained, informed the minister.
Further details are awaited.
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