Nimatighat/ Majuli: Efforts are on to find seven people went missing after a boat with over 120 people on board sank in the Brahmaputra river following a collision with another vessel in Assam's Jorhat district on Wednesday. The inland water transport officials are yet to share the details of the missing passengers. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Cabinet Minister Chandramohan Patowary and DGP Bhaskarjyoti Mahanta arrived at the location in the morning.
As many as 82 people survived the tragedy, which has left a 30-year-old woman dead. Another eight people are currently being treated at Jorhat Medical College & Hospital.
The district administration said that hotel rooms have been arranged for those rescued. The capsized boat was cut open by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams early on Thursday. No dead bodies were found in the boat, a senior official said.
There were over 100 passengers, including men, women and children, in the boats, according to local said residents. There were also a few four-wheelers and two-wheelers on the machine boats.
According to Jorhat deputy commissioner, two boats collided at Nimati Ghat at around 4pm on Wednesday with riders on board the boat 'MB Tipkai', moving from Majuli. It capsized after a collision with another boat 'Ma Kamala', that was leaving from Nimatighat, Jorhat. The district administration and police officials said that the police and the disaster management personnel located the capsized boat about 350metres off the riverbank.
Boat ferries are the only mode of communication between the river island Majuli and Jorhat district. The transport over the river is often hazardous, especially during the monsoon season (June to September) as the river remains inundated.
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Saddened by the boat accident in Assam. All possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2021 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">Saddened by the boat accident in Assam. All possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2021Saddened by the boat accident in Assam. All possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2021
Reacting to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "Saddened by the boat accident in Assam. All possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being."
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Deeply pained to hear about the loss of lives in a boat accident in Jorhat, Assam. My thoughts go out to the victims, survivors and their families. Rescue and relief efforts are on to save as many lives as possible.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 8, 2021 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">Deeply pained to hear about the loss of lives in a boat accident in Jorhat, Assam. My thoughts go out to the victims, survivors and their families. Rescue and relief efforts are on to save as many lives as possible.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 8, 2021Deeply pained to hear about the loss of lives in a boat accident in Jorhat, Assam. My thoughts go out to the victims, survivors and their families. Rescue and relief efforts are on to save as many lives as possible.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 8, 2021
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Anguished to learn about the tragic boat accident in Assam. Have spoken to CM Shri @himantabiswa, the state administration is doing everything possible to rescue the people. We are continuously monitoring the situation. Also assured full support from the central government.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 8, 2021 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
">Anguished to learn about the tragic boat accident in Assam. Have spoken to CM Shri @himantabiswa, the state administration is doing everything possible to rescue the people. We are continuously monitoring the situation. Also assured full support from the central government.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 8, 2021Anguished to learn about the tragic boat accident in Assam. Have spoken to CM Shri @himantabiswa, the state administration is doing everything possible to rescue the people. We are continuously monitoring the situation. Also assured full support from the central government.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 8, 2021
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Anguished to learn of the ferry accident in Majuli. I have talked with Assam CM Shri @himantabiswa regarding the accident and he has informed me of ongoing rescue and relief operations.
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) September 8, 2021 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
I have directed @shipmin_india to provide all necessary support to help the victims.
">Anguished to learn of the ferry accident in Majuli. I have talked with Assam CM Shri @himantabiswa regarding the accident and he has informed me of ongoing rescue and relief operations.
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) September 8, 2021
I have directed @shipmin_india to provide all necessary support to help the victims.Anguished to learn of the ferry accident in Majuli. I have talked with Assam CM Shri @himantabiswa regarding the accident and he has informed me of ongoing rescue and relief operations.
— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) September 8, 2021
I have directed @shipmin_india to provide all necessary support to help the victims.
President Ram Nath Kovind, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Shipping, Ports and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who hails from Assam, also expressed their anguish at the accident.
Emergency contact numbers
The Majuli district administration has launched helpline numbers for emergencies or information pertaining to the Nimatighat boat tragedy. Those in need of help can contact State Emergency Operation Centre on 1070/1079 or Assam State Disaster Management Authority: 1077
Also read: Committee to be formed for implementation of clauses of Assam Accord
