Death toll in MP cruise boat tragedy rises to nine; six still missing in Bargi Dam

The death toll in the cruise boat tragedy at Bargi Dam in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district rose to nine on Friday after rescuers recovered five more bodies from the submerged vessel, officials said.

Authorities said 28 people have been rescued so far, while search operations are continuing for six others who remain missing in the reservoir.

Teams from the Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have intensified rescue operations at the site.

Speaking to PTI Videos, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Minister Dharmendra Bhav Singh Lodhi said, “Four bodies were recovered on Thursday, while five were found during the rescue operation in the early hours of the day, taking the toll to nine.”

VIDEO | Jabalpur Bargi Dam cruise boat tragedy: One more body recovered. A river cruise boat carrying 29 passengers overturned in the Bargi dam reservoir after encountering a sudden storm on Thursday in Jabalpur district.#Jabalpur #BargiDamTragedy #MadhyaPradesh

(Full video… pic.twitter.com/zAj1vzvY9Q

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 1, 2026

He said a detailed investigation would be conducted into the incident, including the issue of life jackets raised by one of the survivors.

The cruise boat overturned on Thursday evening in Bargi Dam, built on the Narmada River, after it encountered a sudden storm.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Jabalpur, Atul Singh, said some bodies are still suspected to be trapped inside the vessel, but low visibility in the water is making it difficult to determine the exact number.

He said the Army, NDRF and SDRF are jointly carrying out the search and rescue operation.

Singh added that the Water Resources Department and the Public Works Department, along with a construction agency working at a nearby water plant, are also assisting in the operation with engineering support.

VIDEO | Jabalpur Bargi Dam cruise boat tragedy: Sangeeta Kori, a tourist from Delhi, recounted the tragic accident, stating that sudden strong winds caused water to enter the vessel, leading to panic and its eventual capsizing.

She says, “No one was made to wear life jackets… pic.twitter.com/3jWIWccBW6

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 1, 2026

According to the DIG, employees of a local construction agency were among the first responders at the site and helped evacuate several passengers who managed to escape from the boat.

He said the submerged vessel would only be retrieved after rescue teams complete the search operation and confirm that no more bodies remain trapped inside.

Eyewitnesses said strong winds had made the water rough, prompting several passengers to raise an alarm and ask the crew to take the boat back towards the banks.

However, the crew was unable to hear the warnings, after which the boat drifted before overturning, eyewitnesses said.

They added that some local residents helped rescue passengers who were wearing life jackets by using ropes to pull them to safety.

(With inputs from agencies)