Two children, both from the same family, tragically lost their lives in Vadodara, Gujarat, on Thursday, when a boat ferrying 27 students capsized, resulting in the deaths of 12 children. The victims, a girl, and a boy, were cousins as their fathers shared a familial relationship. Regrettably, none of the students aboard the boat were reportedly wearing life jackets during the tragic incident.
The heartbreaking reality for the parents was compounded by the fact that the girl, born 17 years after their initial struggles with infertility, became the focus of their hopes and prayers at their mosque. The devastating loss has cast a shadow of sorrow over the family, yet they remain hopeful for justice in the wake of this heartbreaking event.
At the time of the accident, Farooq, the girl's father, was in London. The boy, a cousin to Farooq, was the only male among his siblings.
The boat capsized during a student picnic at the Motnath lake in the Harni area. Initial investigations revealed that the boat was overloaded, and the service operator failed to provide sufficient life jackets for all passengers on board, as reported by the news agency PTI.
Following the tragedy, six individuals were arrested by the Gujarat Police on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Among the arrested were three partners of Kotia Projects, the firm contracted by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation to operate the Harni Lake Zone. The remaining arrests included a manager from Kotia Projects and two boat operators. In response to the incident, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation terminated the contract with Kotia Projects for the operation and maintenance of the lakefront.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited hospitals to meet with survivors and the families of the deceased, announcing compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also pledged compensation of Rs 2 lakh from the PM National Relief Fund for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
