Tragedy in Vrindavan: 11 Devotees Dead, 4 Still Missing in Yamuna Boat Capsize
On Friday, April 10, 2026, a tragic boat accident occurred on the Yamuna River near the iconic Kesi Ghat in Vrindavan, Mathura. A motorized boat carrying 37 pilgrims—mostly from Punjab—capsized after colliding with a floating pontoon, resulting in a significant loss of life and ongoing search efforts.
11 Dead, Search Intensifies for Missing Pilgrims in Vrindavan
Date: April 10, 2026
Location: Kesi Ghat, Yamuna River, Vrindavan, , Uttar Pradesh

The Incident
The accident took place around 3:00 PM on Friday when a group of tourists, part of a larger 150-member pilgrimage party from Ludhiana and Muktsar (Punjab), hired two boats for a river excursion. Witnesses report that one of the boats, allegedly carrying people beyond its safe capacity, lost balance amidst gusty winds and struck a submerged pontoon drum left behind from a recently dismantled bridge.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
The official toll has reached 11 fatalities, including several women. While 22 individuals were successfully rescued and treated at Ram Krishna Mission Hospital, the search for the remaining missing passengers continues.
The motorized boat carrying 37 passengers hits a floating pontoon near Kesi Ghat and capsizes instantly.
Local boatmen and police rescue 22 people. 10 bodies are recovered by nightfall.
NDRF, SDRF, and Army divers retrieve the capsized vessel from a deep swamp area; no additional bodies were found trapped underneath.
A 100-man rescue team continues to scour the downstream sections of the Yamuna for the remaining missing devotees.
