Thirteen Dead in Madhya Pradesh Cruise Boat Capsizing on Narmada River

Thirteen people, including eight women and four children, died when a cruise boat capsized during a storm at the Bargi dam reservoir on the Narmada river near Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, on April 30. The vessel, operated by the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC), was carrying 39 passengers and two crew members when it overturned around 5:20 p.m., roughly 100 metres from the shore, following sudden high winds and waves.

Survivors described chaos as the boat began to sink, with passengers struggling to access life jackets—some of which were improperly sized or unsecured—and receiving no emergency instructions from the crew. Riyaz Hussain Sayyed, 72, survived by clinging to a metal grill for over four hours before rescue workers broke through the hull to pull him out. Marina Messi, 39, and her four-year-old son Trishaan were found trapped below deck, both wearing a single life jacket.

Families of the victims have accused the boat operator and crew of negligence, citing a lack of safety protocols and child-sized life jackets. Videos circulating online show passengers attempting to open life jacket packets moments before the vessel capsized. Rescue teams, aided by construction workers from a nearby site, pulled 28 survivors from the water.

The Madhya Pradesh government has ordered an investigation into the incident, and MPSTDC officials confirm that a formal inquiry is underway. The police have registered a case against cruise operator Mahesh Patel and boatman Chhotalal Gond, while recovery and rescue operations officially concluded on May 3.