6 Devotees Drown After Boat Capsizes in Yamuna River, Rescue Ops On
Mathura, April 10, 2026 — A joyous pilgrimage turned into a nightmare on Friday afternoon when a boat carrying a large group of devotees capsized in the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district. The devastating tragedy has left at least six people dead, with several others still feared missing.
Collision at Kesi Ghat
The fatal accident occurred around 2:45 PM near the famous Kesi Ghat in Vrindavan.
According to initial reports and district officials, a group of approximately 30 devotees, who had traveled from Ludhiana, Punjab, were touring the Yamuna River on two separate boats. One of the heavily loaded boats, functioning as a steamer, reportedly lost control and collided violently with a floating ‘pipa’ (pontoon) bridge.
The severe impact of the crash caused the steamer to immediately capsize, plunging the panicked passengers into the deep waters of the river. Witnesses stated that the sudden capsizing sparked chaos and widespread screaming as bystanders rushed to the riverbanks to help, but many devotees were quickly swept under the water.
“Six Bodies Recovered”
Rescue teams, including local police, the district administration, and specialized divers, were rapidly deployed to the site to initiate a massive search and rescue operation.
Mathura District Magistrate CP Singh provided a grim update on the ongoing efforts. “Today, a very unfortunate accident occurred at around 2:45 PM here in the Yamuna River. Around 30 people from Ludhiana had come and were boating in two boats on the river. The incident took place near Kesi Ghat, where one of the boats sank,” DM Singh told the press.
“So far, six bodies have been recovered, while around 16 to 17 people have been rescued alive,” Singh confirmed.
Rescue Operations Underway
A race against time continues as divers scour the river for those still unaccounted for. Given the depth of the water and the strong currents near the pontoon bridge, authorities fear that the death toll may rise further.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has reportedly taken cognizance of the tragic incident, directing local officials to accelerate rescue efforts and ensure immediate, high-quality medical treatment for the survivors pulled from the river.
The exact cause of the collision—whether due to overcrowding on the steamer, mechanical failure, or strong river currents—will be determined following a comprehensive administrative probe.
