Patna: Wails filled Rampur Shyamchand village in Vaishali’s Raghopur on Wednesday as families performed the last rites of 13 people, including 12 children, who drowned after a boat capsized in the Ganga on Tuesday night while they were travelling to attend a “shraadh” feast.Several households lost multiple children, leaving families inconsolable. Stoves remained unlit as grief swept through the village.Vaishali DM Varsha Singh visited the bereaved families. A grieving mother clung to her and broke down, prompting the DM to console her emotionally.The accident occurred around 8.30pm when villagers were crossing the river. Singh said 13 bodies, including nine girls and four boys below 15 years, had been recovered.Local businessman Suresh Rai’s extended family lost seven members, including his daughters Anushka Kumari and Sinki Kumari, his brother Naresh Rai’s children Piyush Kumar and Sonam Kumari, and his brother Akhilesh Rai’s children Aryan Kumar, Bunty Kumar and Soni Kumari.Another family lost five children: Satyendra Rai’s 14-year-old daughter Nishu Kumari; his nephew Rajkishore Rai’s daughters Ankita, 14, Sunita, 10, and Amrita, 7; and nephew Mukesh Rai’s eight-year-old son Naman Kumar. The three sisters studied in classes VIII, IV and III, respectively. Naman was in Class IV. His father works as a hotel cook in Kolkata.The tragedy also claimed the life of 21-year-old Pinky Kumari. Her sister Chandni, 15, and three-year-old nephew Tej Pratap Kumar survived. Chandni said she rescued two children before being taken to Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) for treatment but could not save Pinky. Her father, Doman Rai, credited her efforts with helping save lives.Elderly villager Bindeshwar Rai recalled failing to grasp his granddaughter Ankita’s hand as the boat sank. “All my granddaughters died in front of my eyes and I could not do anything,” he said.Suresh recalled searching in the dark with a stick as children struggled in the water. Survivors Aditya Kumar and Ansh Kumar described desperate attempts to escape as the boat filled with water and overturned. Abhiraj said he jumped into the river and was rescued by his grandfather.Villagers also joined rescue efforts. Satyendra said Bindeshwar saved three children before returning to help others.The bodies were taken to Khalsa Ghat for the last rites. Chandan said some families followed the Kabir sect’s tradition of immersing bodies in water rather than cremating or burying them.
