Full Breakdown
Boat Capsizes in Assam’s Merbil Wetland, Leaving Three Dead Including Child
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On Sunday, a small country boat carrying three residents of Deolia Gaon in Ghilamara area capsized while crossing the Merbil wetland in Lakhimpur district, Assam. According to police, the vessel sank around 9:30 a.m. as it attempted to reach the opposite bank where the passengers planned to leave or sell their cattle and goats. Strong currents and rising water levels were cited as the immediate cause of the overturn.
Victims Identified
The three people who drowned were identified as Padma Dutta, his nephew Mridusmin Dutta, and Ajit Dutta, all residents of the nearby village. Police records list Padma Dutta as a 45-year-old, Ajit Dutta as 22, and Mridusmin Dutta as 11. Post-mortem examinations were conducted at North Lakhimpur Medical College and Hospital.
Official Response
Law-enforcement officials launched a search operation immediately after the accident, recovering the bodies within an hour. The senior superintendent of police, Gunendra Deka, ordered a legal inquest at Ghilamara Block Primary Health Centre and confirmed that the victims were unconscious when rescued and later declared dead on arrival at the hospital. The police are examining compliance with safety regulations and recording statements from eyewitnesses. The State Disaster Response Force assisted in the rescue and recovery effort.
Safety Concerns Raised by Locals
Local residents alleged that small boats in the region frequently exceed their capacity and operate without adequate oversight from authorities. They pointed to a pattern of similar incidents, emphasizing the need for stricter monitoring of boat operators and enforcement of safety standards.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Media accounts differ on the ages and spellings of the victims: one source lists Padma Dutta as 45 years old, while another records him as 50; Ajit Dutta is reported as 22 in one report and 25 in another; the child’s name appears as Mridusmin Dutta and as Midhusmi Dutta. No further details on the boat’s capacity, licensing, or prior safety inspections have been provided.