2 die, 6 injured as rafting boat capsizes in Pahalgam
Srinagar, Jun 18: Two persons died and six others were injured after their boat capsized in tourist resort of Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday.
Reports suggested that a boat with eight persons on board capsized in Lidder river. An operation was immediately launched by the locals, SDRF and the police and all the occupants were rescued from the river, they said.
However, two among them, identified as a Tourism department employee Rinku Raja Pandita and a woman participant, Sanjana — both residents of Jammu – were shifted to a hospital in critical condition.
Block Medical Officer (BMO) Sallar Dr Shakeel Ahmad told news agency GNS that both the persons were brought dead to the facility.
He said five among the injured were admitted at the facility while one seriously injured person was referred to Srinagar hospital for specialized treatment.
Governor expresses grief
Srinagar, Jun 18: Governor Satya Pal Malik Tuesday expressed grief over a raft capsize incident in Pahalgam tourist resort which claimed two lives.
He announced ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each to kin of the dead and directed authorities to ensure best possible treatment for the injured, an official spokesman said.
“The Governor prayed for peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families in their hour of grief. He has wished speedy recovery to the injured,” the spokesman said.
Expressing concern over rafting accidents in Lidder stream, the Governor issued directions that strict safety measures be taken before indulging in this sport and emphasised the need for allowing only trained manpower in managing all activities related to it.
Today’s incident took place as part of a three-day rafting championship which was being held as a tribute to Rauf Ahmad Dar, a local braveheart who died while rescuing five tourists whose boat had capsized in the same stream on May 31.
