Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Conflicting Reports Follow Ganga Boat Capsize In Bihar
A boat carrying workers overturned in the Ganga River in Bihar.
The workers were helping repair an embankment damaged by flooding and erosion.
The river had strong currents when the accident happened.
Some workers reached the riverbank or were rescued.
Rescue teams are looking for those who are still missing.
Officials are using motorboats, divers and life jackets in the search.
News reports disagree about how many people were on the boat and how many are missing.
Authorities are continuing to check the numbers and monitor the rescue operation.
A boat carrying labourers capsized in the Ganga near Raghopur in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district on Wednesday.
The workers were travelling for flood-fighting and anti-erosion work on the Kazikoraiya-Raghopur Zamindari embankment.
Reports variously say 18 or around 22 people were aboard the boat.
Rescue accounts differ, reporting between 12 and 21 people rescued and between one and six missing.
The SDRF, divers, local rescuers and officials are searching the fast-flowing river.
- Who
- Labourers involved in flood-fighting and embankment repair work; the SDRF, divers, local rescuers and officials are conducting the rescue.
- What
- A boat capsized, with reports differing over the number of people aboard, rescued and missing.
- When
- Wednesday; the reports do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The Ganga near Raghopur Panchayat under Kharik block in the Naugachia police district of Bhagalpur, Bihar.
- Why
- The boat was transporting workers and construction materials for flood-fighting and anti-erosion work when it lost balance in the river’s strong current.
Lower Casualty Estimate
Higher Missing-Worker Estimate
Number of people aboard
Lower Casualty Estimate
One report says around 22 workers were on the boat.
Higher Missing-Worker Estimate
Two reports give a preliminary figure of 18 labourers aboard.
Rescue and missing-person count
Lower Casualty Estimate
One account says 20 workers were rescued and two remained missing; another says 21 were rescued and one was missing.
Higher Missing-Worker Estimate
Other reports say 12 workers reached the riverbank and six were missing.
Status of the figures
Lower Casualty Estimate
The lower missing-person figures come from reports describing a larger number of workers rescued.
Higher Missing-Worker Estimate
The higher figure of six missing is also attributed to preliminary reports, and authorities were still ascertaining the exact numbers.
- Location
- Raghopur area, Kharik block, Naugachia police district, Bhagalpur, Bihar
- River
- Ganga
- Reported passengers
- Accounts state either 18 or around 22 people were aboard
- Reported rescues
- Reports range from 12 to 21 people rescued; one account says 20 were rescued
- Reported missing
- Reports range from one to six missing workers
- Rescue agencies
- The State Disaster Response Force, divers, local rescuers, police and the local administration
- Work underway
- Repair and strengthening of the Kazikoraiya-Raghopur Zamindari embankment after flooding, erosion and a reported breach
