View source for Assam ferry sinking

{{short description|2012 public transport disaster in Dubri, Assam, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox event
| title                    = Assam ferry sinking
| image                    = {{Location map|India Assam#India|width=256 |float= |caption= |mark=Cross.svg |marksize=6 |label=Assam ferry sinking |position=bottom |lat_deg= 25.967305|lat_dir=N |lon_deg=90.050726 |lon_dir=E}}
| image_size               = 
| caption                  = 
| date                     = {{start date|2012|04|30|df=y}}
| time                     = 
| place                    = [[Brahmaputra River]], [[Dhubri]], [[Assam]], [[India]]
| coordinates              = {{Coord|25.967305|90.050726|dim:100_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| also known as            = 
| cause                    = Storm and overcrowding
| participants             = Crew and 305 passengers<ref name="thehindu1">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3374551.ece |title=The cyclone struck suddenly and the ferry was hurled in the air |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=1 May 2012 |accessdate=2 May 2012}}</ref>
| reported deaths          = 103<ref name="indiandefence1">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiandefence.com/forums/strategic-geopolitical-issues/17561-103-drown-assam-boat-capsize.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126174327/http://www.indiandefence.com/forums/strategic-geopolitical-issues/17561-103-drown-assam-boat-capsize.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 January 2013 |title=103 drown in Assam boat capsize |publisher=Indiandefence.com |accessdate=2 May 2012 }}</ref>
| reported missing         = 100<ref name="indiandefence1"/>
| outcome                  = Capsized
}}

On 30 April 2012, a [[ferry]] carrying about 350 passengers capsized in the [[Brahmaputra River]] in the [[Dhubri]] district of [[Assam]] in [[Northeast India]].<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17904139 |title=Search for survivors after India ferry sinking |work=[[BBC News]] |accessdate=2 May 2012}}</ref> The disaster killed at least 103 people.

==Incident==
According to official, the incident occurred when a packed steamer carrying over 300 passengers was caught in a storm and subsequently capsized. According To BBC news , Poor safety standards mean ferry accidents are common on the river but that this is one of the worst disasters in recent memory.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Assam-boat-tragedy-103-killed-over-100-missing/articleshow/12942260.cms |title=Assam boat tragedy: 103 killed, over 100 missing |newspaper=[[The Times of India]]  |date=1 May 2012 |accessdate=2 May 2012}}</ref> The incident occurred near the Fakiragram village in the [[Dhubri]] district, about {{convert|350|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of [[Guwahati]].<ref name="twa">{{cite news|title=103 die as Indian ferry capsizes|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/13562059/assam-ferry-disaster-toll-now-68/|date=1 May 2012|author=Nath, Anupam|work=[[The West Australian]]}}</ref> The Superintendent of Police, Pradip Saloi, told ''[[The Hindu]]'': "The ferry, originating from Dhubri and going towards Hatsingimari, capsized near Fakirganj. We are not sure about the actual number of passengers. We have been told that there were 250–300 passengers. However, there were reports of many swimming to safety."<ref name="thehindu">{{cite news |author=Sushanta Talukdar |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article3371057.ece?homepage=true |title=100 die in Assam ferry capsize |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=30 April 2012 |accessdate=2 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504202539/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article3371057.ece?homepage=true |archive-date=4 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Reuters reported that a police officer had said that the ferry had neither lifeboats nor life jackets and was overloaded with people and goods.<ref name="bbc"/><ref name=Reuters1May>{{cite web|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/india-assam-ferry-brahmaputra-idINDEE83T0EG20120501 |title=Overloaded ferry capsizes in Assam killing at least 103 |agency=[[Reuters]]|date=1 May 2012 |author=Biswajyoti Das}}</ref> Most of the passengers were farmers and farm families from the local area.<ref name=Reuters1May/>

A survivor said passengers had begged the skipper to beach the ferry on a sandbar when the storm hit midstream, but he refused.<ref name=Channel4News>{{cite web|url=
http://www.channel4.com/news/ferry-capsizes-on-indian-river-drowning-more-than-100 |title=Ferry capsizes on Indian river drowning more than 100 people |publisher=[[Channel 4 News]] |date=1 May 2012 }}</ref> "Then the storm became more intense and the boat split into two parts before sinking," Ali was quoted as saying by [[Channel 4 News]].<ref name=Channel4News/>

===Death toll===
According to India's [[National Disaster Response Force]] (NDRF), the bodies of 103 victims were recovered by the NDRF personnel and the [[Border Security Force]] near Jaleswar. Assam Chief Minister [[Tarun Gogoi]] said that the death toll was likely to rise.<ref name="bbc" /> The dead bodies have been kept at the [[Dhubri Civil Hospital]].<ref name="hindu-2">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article3373273.ece|title=Search operation on in Assam ferry mishap|date=1 May 2012|newspaper=[[The Hindu]] }}</ref>

==Response==
Following the incident, the [[Indian Army]], National Disaster Response Force and the [[Border Security Force]] launched rescue efforts.<ref name="thehindu" /> The [[Government of Assam]] announced a {{Indian Rupees}}150,000 compensation for the victims.<ref name="dna">{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_assam-govt-announces-compensation-for-boat-tragedy-victims_1683023|title=Assam govt announces compensation for boat tragedy victims|date=1 May 2012|newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]]}}</ref> State Transport Minister [[Chandan Brahma]] said,'Besides, {{Indian Rupees}}50,000 would be given to those boat passengers who sustained serious injuries and all those admitted in hospitals would receive free treatment.'<ref name="dna"/> He added, 'Anybody found guilty of any violation of rule would not be spared.'<ref name="dna"/> The President of India [[Pratibha Patil]] expressed grief over the incident, whereas Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] assured the Chief Minister of Assam, [[Tarun Gogoi]], that all help and funds for relief for the families of the victims will be provided while announcing the assistance of {{Indian Rupees}}200,000 to the next kin of each of the deceased.<ref name="hindu-2"/>

The Indian Army sent twelve divers for search operations along with army engineers and soldiers. The Army also provided food to the local people, thousands of whom gathered at the spot to help in the rescue efforts.<ref name="dna2">{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_assam-boat-tragedy-army-provides-assistance-in-rescue-operations_1683045|title=Assam boat tragedy: Army provides assistance in rescue operations|date=1 May 2012|newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]]}}</ref>

{{Disasters in India in 2012}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:2012 disasters in India]]
[[Category:April 2012 events in India]]
[[Category:2010s in Assam]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2012]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in India]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks in rivers]]
[[Category:Dhubri district]]
[[Category:Brahmaputra River]]
[[Category:Transport in Assam]]
[[Category:Disasters in Assam]]