A major boat accident was narrowly averted on Sunday in Sitamarhi district, Bihar. A boat carrying 35 to 40 passengers capsized mid-stream in the Bagmati River at Khadka Ghat in the Runnisaidpur block while crossing the river. Panic ensued among the passengers, and chaos erupted at the ghat immediately after the incident.

Local villagers and youth promptly responded, jumping into the river to assist. While some passengers who knew how to swim managed to reach the shore independently, villagers worked tirelessly to rescue women, children, and non-swimmers, bringing them to safety. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and all passengers were rescued unharmed.

Khadka Ghat serves as a crucial link connecting dozens of villages situated on both banks of the Bagmati River. Due to the absence of a permanent bridge, a large number of villagers, farmers, students, and small traders rely on boats for daily commute. Locals allege that a scarcity of adequate and safe boats leads many boatmen to overload vessels with passengers and goods for greater profit, thereby increasing the risk of accidents.

Following the incident, questions have been raised regarding the local administration's safety measures and oversight. Villagers claim to have repeatedly complained to the administration about the disregard for safety standards at Khadka Ghat, but no effective action has been taken. They demand the operation of larger and safer boats, strict action against boatmen who overload, and the mandatory provision of life jackets, lifebuoys, and other essential safety equipment on all boats to prevent future occurrences.