A tragic incident occurred late on Sunday night at Batra Dam in Surajpur district when a boat carrying nine villagers capsized while they were fishing. Six people managed to swim to safety, but three others are still missing.

The victims are residents of Rai village under Karanjhi Chowki police station area. The boat overturned around 2 AM when the group was allegedly laying nets in the dam. According to preliminary information, the balance of the boat got disturbed, causing it to capsize suddenly.

The six survivors swam ashore and informed their relatives, who reached the spot immediately. Police and the District Disaster Response Force (DDRF) were alerted. The DDRF team has been carrying out search and rescue operations for more than 10 hours, but the three missing persons are yet to be traced. The boat itself has also gone missing.

Fishing was banned in the dam

Sources said the fishing lease of Batra Dam had expired and catching fish had been prohibited. Despite the ban, the villagers had gone secretly at night to fish. The missing persons have been identified as Samay Lal, Jagpal and another youth.

Local residents and family members of the missing are waiting anxiously at the spot. DDRF divers and police teams are continuing the search. No trace has been found so far.

This is the latest water-related tragedy in Chhattisgarh. Just days ago, a pregnant woman and her daughter drowned in Ghoghra Dam in Jashpur district while bathing.

District administration officials have reached the spot and are monitoring the rescue operation. Further details are awaited as the search continues.