12 School Students, 2 Teachers Die As Boat Overturns in Lake Near Vadodara

The students were on a picnic organised by their school when the incident occurred.

People gather during a rescue and search operation after a boat overturned in a lake in Vadodara

(Photo: PTI)

Fourteen people, including 12 school students and two teachers, drowned after a boat overturned in a lake on the outskirts of Gujarat's Vadodara on Thursday, 18 January.

What happened? The students and teachers were from New Sunrise School and were on a picnic organised by the school when the incident occurred. The boat was carrying at least 27 students and their teachers.

A search operation is ongoing to rescue the remaining people from the Harni Lake, where the boat capsized. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also reached the spot earlier on Thursday.

'Not given life jackets': A relative of one of the students claimed that safety precautions were not taken before the children were taken on a boat ride.

"They were being taken for a picnic. The children were not given safety wear (life jackets). The capacity of the boat was 12 but 27 people were seated," she told news agency ANI.

A case has been filed against 18 people in connection with the case.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to express his condolences over the incident and announce an ex-gratia for the families of the deceased.

"Distressed by the loss of lives due to a boat capsizing at the Harni lake in Vadodara. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. May the injured recover soon," the Prime Minister's Office quoted Modi as saying.

"The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," the tweet added.

CM Patel also announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 for the injured persons.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragedy of Harani Lake. It is hard to imagine what goes through the hearts of innocent children when time takes them away from their parents," the chief minister said, adding that rescue efforts are in full swing.

Patel has also tasked the Vadodara District Magistrate to conduct a probe into the incident and submit a detailed report within 10 days.