At least 13 children lost their lives after a boat carrying villagers capsized in the Ganga River in Bihar’s Vaishali district on Tuesday night, October 13, 2026. The tragic incident occurred in the area under the jurisdiction of Raghopur police station.

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According to the district administration, all the children on board were aged 15 or younger. The incident has sparked grief and concern among local residents as authorities respond to the tragedy.

Preliminary information suggests that the boat was carrying villagers to a nearby village, where they planned to attend a feast. Local residents said the gathering had been organised at the residence of Singheshwar Rai near Mata Maharani Sthan in Bhagtan Tola, which falls under Rampur Shyamchand Panchayat.

Around 20 people were reportedly travelling in the small boat when it capsized in the river. The exact circumstances that led to the accident were not immediately clear.

Following the incident, people gathered near a local hospital as concerns grew over those who had fallen into the water. The tragedy has raised questions about passenger safety while travelling on small boats across rivers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced ex-gratia payments for the victims’ families following the incident. The financial assistance is intended to provide some relief to families affected by the devastating loss.

The deaths have left the local community mourning, particularly because of the young age of the victims. Further details about the rescue operation, the identities of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the capsizing are expected as officials continue to assess the incident.

The tragedy highlights the importance of safety precautions and adequate safeguards for people travelling by boat.