Jabalpur/New Delhi 03 May (H.S.): The last missing body has been recovered in the cruise boat accident at Bargi Dam in Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh, raising the death toll to 13. The rescue operation that began after the mishap on Thursday evening has now been concluded, with no further bodies reported missing.

The Bargi City SHO, Anjul Ayank Mishra, said that the body of Kamraj R. was recovered from the Narmada‑backed Bargi Dam around 9:40 a.m. on Sunday, bringing the tally of dead to 13. Earlier that morning, around 6:00 a.m., the body of his eight‑year‑old nephew, Mayuran, was also retrieved from the reservoir. The boy, who hailed from Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu), had come to visit relatives in Jabalpur.

On the first day of the tragedy, April 30, four bodies were recovered; on the second day, five; on the third day, two; and on the fourth day, two more bodies were found, including Mayuran and Kamraj. The deceased include four children and eight women. The SHO added that, as a precaution, a search operation would continue throughout the day along the river stretch.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening, April 30, when violent gusts and a severe storm hit the Narmada basin. A cruise operated by Madhya Pradesh Tourism, carrying around 47 tourists, capsized while returning from a sunset ride at Bargi Dam.

As soon as the accident was reported, police and the district administration rushed to the spot and launched a relief and rescue mission. With help from the NDRF and SDRF, 29 people were rescued in the first two days of the operation, while several others swam to safety.

Nine bodies were recovered in the initial phase of the rescue.

By Saturday evening, May 2, the recovery of two children’s bodies had raised the death toll further. The search had been halted on Saturday due to heavy rain and strong winds, but NDRF, SDRF, and Army personnel resumed operations on Sunday morning. Around 6:00 a.m., the body of another child, Mayuran, was found some distance from the main accident site. Subsequently, Kamraj R.’s body was also recovered by 9:40 a.m.

The list of 13 victims includes Neetu Soni (43), of Kotwali, Jabalpur; Soumyaglam Alagan (42), of Annanagar, West Taraipuram, Tamil Nadu; Madhur Messi (62), of Khajan Basti, New Delhi; Kakulaji (38), wife of Kamraj, of West Land, Khamaria, Jabalpur; Reesha Saiyed (66), of Civil Lines, Bhasin Arcade, near Jackson Hotel, Jabalpur; Shameem Nakhvi (68), of Dherki, Bhopal; Marina Messi (39), wife of Pradeep Messi, of Delhi; Trishaan (4 years), son of Pradeep Messi, of Delhi; Jyoti Sen, of Footatal, Ghamtal area, Jabalpur; Shrithamil (5), son of Kamraj, of Jabalpur; Viraj (5), son of Krishna Soni; Mayuran (9 years), son of Pariyam, of Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu; and Kamraj R., son of Srirama Lingam, of Jabalpur.

The Bargi City SHO explained that the bodies of the Tamil Nadu tourists were being sent back to their home state. The remains were flown by cargo aircraft from Dumna Airport in Jabalpur to Tiruchirappalli, with family members accompanying them.

The administration has also begun a phased movement plan to transport the bodies of the remaining deceased to their respective home states.

Anger among relatives turns into outcry against officials

Families of the victims have erupted in fury against the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department, accusing it of gross negligence. They have demanded strict action against those responsible, calling the incident not an accident but “murder.” Relatives argued that they sought justice rather than compensation, and insisted that the entire MP Tourism Department bears responsibility. They questioned why only a few officials had been suspended, and why the boat operator had not yet been arrested. They urged the state government and local administration to ensure strict punitive measures against all culpable officers and staff.

Seven from one Tamil family drown, only two children survive

In one of the most tragic cases, seven members of a single Tamil family perished in the Bargi Dam cruise accident. The family came on a holiday to Jabalpur from Tiruchirappalli. Of this group, only Puvitharan, 10, and his 12‑year‑old cousin survived, while five others from the same family lost their lives.

Kamraj, whose original home was in Tiruchirappalli, worked as a machinist in the Ordinance Factory in Jabalpur and lived there with his wife and children.

Relatives from Tamil Nadu, including his parents‑in‑law, younger brother, sister‑in‑law, and other family members, had come to visit him. They planned a family outing on Thursday, April 30, visiting Bhedaghat in the afternoon and enjoying the rope‑way. Around 3:30 p.m., they proceeded to the Bargi Dam Resort for the cruise ride.

Ten‑year‑old Puvitharan, one of the survivors, recounted the terrifying ordeal. He said the weather was clear and calm at the start of the ride, and the boat passengers celebrated a child’s birthday onboard. As the boat turned back, strong winds picked up and waves turned violent.

According to Puvitharan, only children had been provided life jackets initially. The other passengers started putting on life jackets when the boat began to rock violently, but by then it was too late. After the cruise capsized, he struggled through the waves towards the shore and was finally pulled to safety by a man who threw a rope.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar