Four individuals perished, and at least 19 others are unaccounted for following a tragic incident in India-occupied Kashmir, where a boat carrying them capsized amid swollen river waters.
Rescue efforts are underway, with authorities deploying rubber boats and marine commandos to locate survivors.
The missing include several children en route to school when the vessel overturned in the Jhelum river within Srinagar.
Muzaffar Zargar, the superintendent of the city’s main hospital, confirmed four fatalities and mentioned that three others are receiving medical attention.
The boat, without a motor, relied on crew members to propel it using a rope fixed at both ends, which snapped under the force of the strong current.
This incident occurred against the backdrop of heavy rainfall in the region, leading to the river’s swelling.
Manoj Sinha, Kashmir’s top political official, expressed condolences for the lives lost and assured that support is being extended to the affected families.
While accidents are frequent on the perilous roads of the mountainous area, incidents involving passenger boats are uncommon.
