Video: 'I caught his feet, he hoisted me on his shoulders…' Rescued children recount chilling details of boat tragedy

A tragic boat capsize incident in Bihar has sent shockwaves across the nation. While several lives were lost in the accident caused by overloading and a leakage in the boat, the children who miraculously survived have come forward to share the spine-chilling accounts of how they cheated death.

The young survivors recounted the moments of absolute terror when water started rushing into the vessel, eventually flipping it over and plunging passengers into deep distress.

'I Held on to a Man's Feet and He Hoisted Me on His Shoulders'

Recounting the horrific ordeal, a young survivor named Aditya Kumar said, "There was a small hole in the boat through which water started seeping in. When the boat started going down, more water poured in, and ultimately it capsized. Those who couldn't get off on time didn't survive. I held on to the feet of a man; he hoisted me up on his shoulders. Another man gave me a thick branch of a tree to hold, and he swam with me to bring me to the shore."

Another survivor, Abhiraj, shared that he managed to jump into the water just before the boat completely overturned, after which his grandfather rescued him. These accounts highlight the sheer panic and desperation that unfolded on the water.

Government Announces Ex-Gratia Compensation

In the wake of the tragedy, both state and central authorities have stepped in with support. The state government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the incident, with the PMO announcing Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 for the injured.