A boat carrying devotees from Punjab capsized in Yamuna river in Mathura district in Uttar Pradesh on Friday (April 10, 2026), leaving at least 10 dead.

About 18 people were rescued with some sustaining injuries. Efforts were being made to locate the others, Mathura’s District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh said. Mr. Singh said all devotees on the boat were from Punjab.

The boat was ferrying around 30 passengers between Vrindavan and nearby areas when it reportedly collided with an iron pontoon bridge built across the river near Keshi Ghat. The impact caused the allegedly overcrowded boat to overturn.

Local people said that the boat began to sway violently due to gusty winds and picked up speed before the collision. Rescue operations were under way with the National and State Disaster Response Forces (NDRF and SDRF) and local divers searching deeper stretches of the river. Senior officials were at the scene to monitor the situation.

“Around 3:15 p.m., a boat capsized in the Yamuna river between Bansiwat and Kesi Ghat... Approximately 25 to 27 people were on board. Exact numbers are being confirmed by speaking with people... The boat capsized after colliding with the [pontoon] bridge. Ten bodies have been recovered so far. Fire service teams, police teams, local divers, and sailors are engaged in rescue operations. Medical teams are also present. Those rescued have been sent to the hospital for treatment. A search is under way for those who are missing,” said Shailesh Kumar Pandey, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Agra Range.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident. “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,” the Prime Minister wrote in a post on social media.

President Droupadi Murmu too condoled the loss of lives in the boat accident and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed district officials to expedite relief measures following the tragedy.

“The loss of lives in the boat capsize accident in Mathura district is extremely sad and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families. The officials concerned have been instructed to immediately reach the spot and carry out rescue and relief operations and provide proper treatment to the injured. We pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant salvation to the departed souls, strength to the bereaved families to bear this immense grief and speedy recovery to the injured,” read an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office.

Dedicated control room

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who spoke to his Uttar Pradesh counterpart, said every possible assistance will be provided to the victims.

Special teams of civil and police officers have already been dispatched from Ludhiana to Vrindavan, officials said, while the district administration set up dedicated control rooms in Ludhiana and Jagraon — 01624223226 (SDM Jagraon office) and 01612403100 (Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana office).

(With inputs from PTI)