At least four people were killed and three rescued after a boat carrying mostly school children capsized in the river Jhelum in Srinagar on Tuesday morning.
Personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed to rescue the other missing persons. The three rescued were receiving treatment in Srinagar’s SMHS hospital.
The mishap occurred near the Batwara area of Srinagar while the boat was ferrying school children.
The BJP appointed Srinagar administration launched rescue operations at Ganderbal near Batwara soon after the report of the mishap came in.
Incessant rains over the last couple of days have reportedly led to an increase in the water levels of several water bodies, including Jhelum.
Reports said that seven people were evacuated to the hospital where four were declared brought dead and three were undergoing treatment. More details are awaited.
Meanwhile, leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference have expressed deep grief and sorrow over a heart wrenching incident that unfolded in Batwara area of Srinagar after a boat ferrying school children and locals sank in the River Jhelum, leaving six dead and many missing.
According to Kashmir Media Service, senior APHC leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a statement in Srinagar, while standing in solidarity with the affected families, emphasized the urgent need for enhanced safety measures to prevent such calamities from recurring. He urged the community to unite in support and solidarity, offering assistance and comfort to those impacted by this heartbreaking event. “During this period of sorrow, we humbly pray to Allah to bestow Sabr (patience) and strength upon the parents, siblings, and loved ones of the deceased”, the Mirwaiz added.
The Mirwaiz strongly criticized the indifference of the New Delhi-installed IIOJK occupation administration and said that due to the non-completion of the footbridge under construction for the last 15 years, school students and the general public have to travel by boat to cross the river and today this tragic accident happened.
Meanwhile, another senior leader of APHC, Agha Syed Hasan Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi in a statement issued in Srinagar also expressed deep grief and sorrow over this tragic incident. He condoled with the families of those who died in the tragedy.
On the other hand, APHC-AJK leader, Sheikh Abdul Majid, in a statement issued in Islamabad while expressing deep sorrow and regret over the heartbreaking incident said that this tragedy happened due to the criminal negligence of the Indian occupation regime.
Notably, six people including five minor students were drowned, five were rescued while three others are missing after a boat capsized in river Jehlum near Batawara area of Srinagar early on Tuesday morning.—KMS
