GNN, Vaishali, India: At least 13 children have died after a boat capsized in the Ganges River in the Raghopur area of Vaishali district in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, according to reports. The accident occurred on Tuesday night while a group of local residents was travelling to a neighbouring village to attend a feast.

The small boat was reportedly carrying around 20 people who were heading to a gathering at the residence of Singheshwar Rai, near Mata Maharani Sthan in Rampur Shyamchand Panchayat, under Bhagwanpur Tola. The group was crossing the river when the boat overturned, triggering an emergency rescue operation.

Vaishali District Magistrate Varsha Singh said seven people had been rescued and taken to Nalanda Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Some of the injured were subsequently referred to hospitals in Patna for further medical care. She confirmed that all the children aboard the boat were aged 15 or younger.

Rescue efforts continued throughout the night, with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local divers deployed at the accident site. Authorities later recovered 13 bodies. Tensions also surfaced when the district magistrate visited a local hospital to assess the situation, with angry residents raising slogans in protest.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the tragedy and announced financial assistance of INR 400,000 for each bereaved family from the state government. He also directed officials to intensify rescue operations and ensure proper medical treatment for the injured.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences and announced ex-gratia assistance of INR 200,000 for the next of kin of each deceased person through the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Those injured in the incident will receive INR 50,000 each, according to the announcement. Both leaders conveyed their condolences to the affected families through posts on the social media platform X.