Gujarat boat tragedy: ‘No rescuers, life jackets’, various lapses in safety measures
Atul Gamechi, a famous social activist, expressed outrage over the Gujarat boat tragedy.
Gujarat boat tragedy latest news: In a shocking incident, 12 students and two teachers lost their lives after a boat capsized in Harni Lake on the outskirts of Vadodara city in Gujarat on Thursday. The victims were among the larger group of 29 individuals who were on the ill-fated boat.
According to information, the boat, with a given capacity of 14 people, was overloaded with over double the number. It has also been alleged that several essential safety equipment like life jackets and the lack of personnel, designated for rescue operations, were absent from the boat. These absences have raised serious questions on the preparedness and compliance with safety regulations.
In the meanwhile, Atul Gamechi, a famous social activist, expressed outrage over the Gujarat boat tragedy and alleged various lapses in the safety measures.
Gamechi said, "This is a very sad incident for the city of Vadodara. Ideally, there should have been two rescuers in the boat, but they were absent. Similarly, neither life jackets were provided nor any CCTV cameras were there. The Vadodara Municipal Corporation and the contractor are involved in corruption."
On the other hand, the Gujarat government has ordered a high-level investigation into the incident. Vadodara District Collector directed to submit a detailed inquiry report within 10 days while the inquiry aims to identify the reasons and circumstances leading to the Gujarat boat tragedy.
Moreover, an FIR has been registered under sections 304 and 308 of the Indian Penal Code, and the two individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while expressing his views on the tragedy, says, "Distressed by the loss of lives to a boat capsizing at the Harni lake in Vadodara. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected. An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000."