Locals launch early rescue
Several passengers were rescued by local residents and nearby boatmen immediately after the accident, before official rescue teams arrived at the spot.
Strong winds suspected
Police suspect that strong winds may have caused the small boat to overturn while it was in the middle of the river. Eyewitnesses also confirmed that the boat was carrying more than a dozen people at the time of the incident.
VIDEO | Bihar: Several feared dead after a boat capsized in the Ganga river near Umanath Ganga Ghat in Barh sub division of Patna district.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 28, 2026
An eyewitness says, "There were approximately 14 to 15 people on the boat. Around seven people are feared drowned. Others were rescued… pic.twitter.com/N7SiUfSII2
Officials confirm casualties
Barh Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Ramakrishna told PTI that authorities received information about the capsizing due to strong winds.
“Fourteen people were on board. Seven are safe, two bodies have been recovered, and five people are missing,” he said.