Unaware Of Impending Doom, Devotees Chant 'Radhe Radhe' Minutes Before Mathura Boat Capsizes | Video

Mathura: A video taken minutes before a boat capsized in Mathura showed the victims joyfully chanting ‘Jai Radhe Radhe’, unaware of their tragic fate. The boat sank in the Yamuna River near Kesi Ghat on Friday, killing 10 devotees during what was meant to be a routine pilgrimage in Vrindavan, Mathura district.

The video of their final moments showed them clapping and doing bhajan-kirtan with big smiles on their faces as they enjoyed the boat ride. Some were making videos of the moment. Notably, none of the devotees were seen wearing a life jacket.

The devotees' peace was short-lived since their boat collided with a pontoon bridge, leading to a tragic accident.

Following the mishap, the devotees were seen screaming and crying out for help as they thrashed in the water in a desperate bid to save themselves. As many as 22 people were rescued safely.

Families Left In Mourning

A woman whose family members lost their life in the tragedy lamented, “Yesterday they left for Mathura, Vrindavan...Around 2.30 pm, they uploaded a video expressing their happiness."

Another relative of one of the deceased said, “I had a telephonic conversation with my family member, they were very happy on reaching there...[Later] someone from the family called us and told us that their boat had capsized.”

5 Still Missing

Meanwhile, five people who were among those on the boat when the tragedy struck are still missing.

A father is still waiting for any information about his son, who went missing after the accident. He said, “My son Yash Birla was here in Mathura, Vrindavan…He has not been found yet…We got the information at 6 PM, that a boat has been capsized... We are not getting any information about him.”

A search operation is currently underway.

Mathura DM CP Singh said, “NDRF, SDRF, the army and local divers are deployed here. Whatever shortcomings there were will be addressed. Responsibility will also be fixed. Orders for an investigation were issued just yesterday.”

PM Modi Condoles Death

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragic incident and extended his condolences to the families of the victims.

"Deeply pained by the mishap due to the capsizing of a boat in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. My condolences to those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The local administration is assisting those affected," he said.

The Prime Minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased. Further, he announced an aid of Rs. 50,000 for those injured in the accident.

Also Read- Mathura Boat Tragedy: 10 Dead, 22 Rescued; Massive Search Operation Underway, Says SP Rural Suresh Chandra Rawat