Tragic Boat Capsize During Durga Idol Immersion in Kota Claims Four Children

Kota, October 20 (Daily Kiran) : On the evening of October 20, a tragic incident occurred in Kota, Rajasthan, when a boat capsized during the immersion of a Durga idol in the right main canal of the Chambal River. The boat was carrying several people, including four children who are now feared drowned.

Three individuals, including the boatman, were rescued, but search operations for the missing children are ongoing. The incident took place in the Borkheda police station area, causing widespread panic among local residents.

Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), municipal authorities, and local divers have been deployed to conduct extensive searches in the canal. Three boats are currently being used in the rescue operations.

According to officials, the group had come from the Sanjay Nagar area of Science City for the idol immersion. They were aboard a small wooden boat that capsized in the middle of the canal, throwing everyone into the water.

The missing children have been identified as Keshav, Golu, Suresh, and Rahul. Meanwhile, Mala Kanwar, Deepak, and the boatman managed to swim to safety.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed his deep sorrow over the incident and directed local authorities to expedite search and rescue efforts. He urged officials to act swiftly and expressed hope for the safe recovery of the missing children. Birla also extended his condolences to the affected families and prayed for their strength during this difficult time.

In the aftermath, District Collector Piyush Samaria, Superintendent of Police Tejaswini Gautam, Cabinet Minister Madan Dilawar, and Additional District Magistrate Ravi Verma were present at the site to oversee the rescue operations alongside other police and administrative officials.

SDRF and NDRF personnel, along with municipal rescue teams and divers, are conducting a comprehensive search in the canal. Officials are coordinating with the rescue teams as the operation continues.

Witnesses reported that seven people were on the small boat, with three on each side and the Durga idol placed in the center. The boatman was navigating the vessel when it capsized. Reports indicate that while Mala Kanwar, Deepak, and the boatman reached safety, the four children were swept away by the strong current.

The incident has left families devastated. Relatives rushed to the scene upon hearing the news, anxiously searching for their loved ones. A large crowd gathered near the canal as rescue workers continued their efforts.

The immediate priority for authorities remains the search for the four missing children, with operations still ongoing.