Patna : The Vaishali district administration has initiated action against officials following a boat accident in Raghopur that killed 13 children on Tuesday night, October 13. District Magistrate Varsha Singh has sought explanations from the Circle Officer (CO) and Station House Officer (SHO) of Raghopur and ordered that their salaries be withheld until further orders.
The accident occurred in a seasonal river near Bhagwan Tola in Rampur Shyamchand village under Raghopur police station limits. According to the administration, the boat capsized at around 8.30 pm while villagers and children were crossing the river to attend a death-feast ceremony.
Villagers alleged that they had previously asked the local administration to replace the old boat because it had developed cracks, but their request was not addressed. The allegations have raised questions about the monitoring of boat operations and the officials responsible for local safety arrangements.
Vaishali DM Seeks Explanation From CO And SHO
District Magistrate Varsha Singh ordered the salary stoppage and sought explanations from both officials. She said action would be taken against anyone found responsible for the incident.
Speaking about the preliminary findings, Singh said the Circle Officer and Station House Officer were responsible for preventing such incidents through their respective administrative mechanisms and personal supervision. She also said officials had remained at the site through the night following the accident.
The administration received information that the boat had been operating earlier as well, which Singh described as a lapse requiring action. The inquiry is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident and determine responsibility.
13 Children Die As Boat Capsizes In Seasonal River
According to the information released by the district administration, the boat was carrying villagers and children across the seasonal river when it capsized. Reports said approximately 20 to 25 children were aboard, raising concerns about overloading.
Thirteen children, aged between six and 16 years, died in the accident. Six people were rescued and taken to the Narayan Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) in Patna for treatment. The rescued group comprised four children and two adults.
Teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) participated in rescue operations after the administration received information about the incident.
Chirag Paswan Calls For Action Against Those Responsible
Union Minister and Hajipur MP Chirag Paswan visited Raghopur and met the affected families, assuring them of assistance. Before leaving Patna for the accident site, he said he would raise the matter with Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and seek action against officials found responsible.
Paswan said that if villagers had requested a replacement boat and the administration had failed to provide one, it would amount to serious negligence. He said those found responsible should face action.
Raghopur MLA and Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav also expressed grief over the deaths and offered condolences to the bereaved families.
Financial Assistance Announced For Bereaved Families
The Vaishali district administration announced immediate financial assistance for the families of the deceased under several schemes.
Each bereaved family has been provided Rs 4 lakh under the disaster relief grant, along with Rs 3,000 under the Kabir Antyeshti Yojana. In addition, Rs 20,000 has been provided to the parent or guardian of each deceased child under the Chief Minister’s Family Benefit Scheme.
The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund has also announced Rs 2 lakh for the family of each deceased person. People injured in the accident and undergoing treatment will receive Rs 50,000 each, according to the announcement.
The district administration said rescue and relief measures were undertaken immediately after the incident. The inquiry into the boat accident and the alleged administrative lapses is expected to determine further action against those found responsible.
