Vrindavan Today | Bureau Report
10th April, 2026, Vrindavan: A tragic accident at Keshi Ghat on Friday afternoon claimed the lives of at least 10 tourists after a steamer carrying devotees capsized in the Yamuna river, triggering panic and a large-scale rescue operation.
According to officials, a group of around 30–32 tourists from Ludhiana, Moga, and Muktsar area of Punjab had arrived in Vrindavan for darshan. The group boarded two steamers for a ride on the Yamuna River when one of the vessels reportedly lost balance, collided with a pontoon bridge, and overturned.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the overcrowded steamer capsized, with devotees screaming for help. Local boatmen and divers immediately jumped into the river to rescue those struggling in the water. Several pilgrims were swept into deeper currents.
District Magistrate C.P. Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar rushed to the spot and took charge of the rescue operations. DIG Shailesh Kumar Pandey confirmed that 10 bodies had been recovered, while around 12–15 people were rescued. At least five individuals remain missing.
Given the gravity of the situation, teams from the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed to assist in the ongoing search and rescue efforts. Divers continued combing the river till late evening in search of the missing.
The incident sent shockwaves through the administration, with swift action initiated from Mathura to Lucknow. Government and private hospitals in the region were put on high alert to handle emergency cases.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the tragedy and directed authorities to ensure prompt rescue and relief operations. He also expressed grief over the loss of lives.
Police from Vrindavan and nearby stations, along with senior officials, remained stationed at the site as rescue efforts continued. Authorities have urged the public to avoid spreading rumours and to cooperate with the administration during the ongoing operation.
List of Deceased (10)
Kavita Rani (49), wife of Vijay Kumar
Charanjit (40), son of Sohanlal
Rikesh Gulati
Madhur Behal, son of Vijay Behal
Asha Rani
Pinky Behal, wife of Charanjit
Anju Gulati, wife of Rikesh Gulati
Ishan Kataria
Meenu Bansal
Sapna Hans (55), wife of Anil Hans
Injured / Hospitalised (8)
Pinky, daughter of Gurbadan Singh
Manju, wife of Surender Kumar
Savita, wife of Rajinder
Tanish Jain, son of Vipin Jain
Rekha, wife of Sunil Kumar
Rajinder Kaur, wife of Gurdeep Kaur
Saroj
Dolly
Safe / Discharged (14)
Chetan Mittal
Lavi Behal
Radha Arora
Bani (child)
Vijay Behal
Rohit Behal
Yashu Bajaj
Parghat Singh
Shweta Jain
Anil Hans (Bittu)
Reema Hans
Manohar Lal
Neha Hans
Lavish Kalra
Missing (5)
Manik Tandon
Pankaj Malhotra
Rishabh Sharma
Yash Bhalla
Maunika
