A powerful storm led to a catastrophic accident involving a cruise boat in Jabalpur, as confirmed by Madhya Pradesh tourism minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi. Despite the catamaran’s design to prevent sinking, it capsized during the storm, resulting in 11 confirmed fatalities and ongoing search operations for two missing people.
In light of the incident, inquiries have been launched to scrutinize the maintenance records and inspect other boats operated by the state’s tourism department. Minister Lodhi emphasized that the vessel was crafted to endure harsh conditions, yet the storm’s intensity overwhelmed its capacity.
The incident has prompted a crackdown on similar vessels across the region. The state government has mandated a thorough safety review to prevent future tragedies. Eyewitnesses and survivors indicated potential crew negligence, raising concerns about adherence to safety protocols during the voyage.
(With inputs from agencies.)
