By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, May 2, 2026: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India expressed “deepest sorrow” after a tourist cruise capsized at Bargi Dam reservoir in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, killing nine people and leaving four others, including three children, missing.
A “sudden and severe storm” overturned the vessel, according to reports. The bishops said they “deeply mourn the tragic and untimely death of the tourists” and offered “heartfelt condolences to the family members of the deceased.”
The statement urged authorities to “provide all support to the affected families” and called for a “thorough review of water safety protocols on tourist vessels.”
The bishops added they “stand in steadfast solidarity with the affected people” and prayed for the “swift and safe recovery” of those still missing.
The Catholic Church in India said it hopes families “find strength and solace during this difficult time.”
The last moments before one of Madhya Pradesh’s biggest tourism disasters were captured on camera inside the Bargi Dam cruise, reports NDTV.com.
The footage shows a catastrophic breakdown of fundamental safety protocols as torm waters overwhelm the inside of the boat, causing it to rock violently. Only after the ship had begun to sink can cruise employees be seen feverishly untying packed life jackets.
Many of the passengers are not wearing life jackets as they frantically try to get them out of sealed storage, according to NDTV.com.
Before sailing, each passenger is required under the Inland Vessels Act of 2021 to receive a life jacket and wear it appropriately. However, preliminary results indicate that this mandatory rule might have been flagrantly broken, NDTV.com reported.
(Photo: Bargi dam (stored water) Jabalpur/Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported)