Srinagar boat capsize leaves 6 dead and 10 missing

Six people, including four children, were killed and 10 others missing after a boat capsized in Srinagar’s swollen Jhelum river on Tuesday, officials said. The boat capsized after hitting the pillars of a bridge under construction and the rope used to cross the river broke.

The area has been hit by heavy rains over the past few days, causing river levels to rise.

The boat was carrying more than 20 people, mostly children, who were heading to a school on the other side of the river. So far, 10 passengers have been rescued, but 10 people are still missing.

“The boat hit a pillar in the river and capsized. I don’t know why the bridge is still under construction. It has been more than 10 years ago.” said a local with relatives on the boat.

Locals said the accident could have been avoided if the bridge had been completed as boats are the most common means of transport across the river.

The state disaster response force has launched a rescue operation for the missing passengers. Senior government and police officials are at the scene overseeing rescue operations.

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed on Monday due to landslides triggered by rainfall. “NH-44 is blocked due to severe landslide at Kishtwari Pather. People are advised to avoid travel,” Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police said.

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is the main road connecting the valley with the rest of the country.