Patna boat tragedy: Death toll rises to 25, PM announces ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh

PATNA: The death toll in yesterday’s boat tragedy in Bihar rose to 25 today, according to reports.

Around 40 people were said to be onboard the country boat when it capsized near NIT ghat in the evening yesterday.

The passengers were returning to Ranighat in Patna from Sabalpur diara across the river after watching a kite festival on occasion of 'Makar Sankranti'.


A few on the ill-fated boat swam to safety, while some families said their fellow members had gone missing after the accident.

Family members of the deceased and those missing were seen wailing at the ghat.

Sources said the tragedy was suspected to have been caused by overloading.

PM announces ex gratia

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today sanctioned Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed in Patna boat tragedy from the PM National Relief Fund.

Those seriously injured will be given Rs 50,000 each, the PMO said.

Last night, while condoling loss of lives, the PM has postponed his programme scheduled for today in Patna.

"PM expressed grief on the loss of lives caused by the boat tragedy in Bihar. He extended condolences to the bereaved families," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted last night.

In the wake of the tragedy, a programme to mark the start of redevelopment work of Mahatma Gandhi Setu in Patna which he was to address today via video conferencing was also postponed, the PMO said.