In a tragic incident in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar, Govinder Sahani faced an unimaginable ordeal. After bidding farewell to his 17-year-old brother, Pintu, as he set off for school on Thursday morning, Govinder found himself in a desperate search for Pintu’s body just hours later. Pintu is one of the 12 individuals, including six schoolgirls, who remain missing after a small boat capsized in the swollen Bagmati River.
While at least 18 people managed to swim to safety, the district administration confirmed that 12 persons, including children, were still unaccounted for. Tragically, Pintu, who had bravely saved two individuals, was swept away by the strong current when he returned to help others. The boat was carrying students from classes nine and ten, as well as local residents from Bhatgama village, who were crossing the river to Benibad village for shopping.
Inherent Risks of the Bagmati River Crossing
Locals in the area pointed out that this tragedy was, unfortunately, bound to occur due to the inherent risks associated with using fragile boats to cross the Bagmati River. This river, originating in Nepal, poses challenges given its width and treacherous currents. Typically, boats are pulled across the river using ropes anchored on both banks, a perilous method that was employed on that fateful Thursday when the rope snapped.
Echoes of Past Tragedy
For the residents of Bhatgama village, this heartbreaking incident brought back haunting memories of a similar boat mishap in 2002 when five members of a family met a similar tragic fate. The village, which has a population of nearly 2,000, heavily depends on Benibad village, located 40 kilometers from Muzaffarpur town, for their daily needs.
Calls for a Bridge
Expressing their anger and frustration, locals attributed Thursday’s mishap to the absence of a bridge across the Bagmati River. The lack of a bridge has exacerbated the risks associated with river crossings, prompting the community to demand urgent action to prevent further tragedies of this nature.
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