Steamer with 100 stranded in Chambal River, all rescued

A steamer carrying passengers ran into trouble on the Chambal River in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday. New Indian Express reports that around 40 people were stranded after the vessel ran out of fuel near Bhind district. Deccan Chronicle, however, says about 100 passengers and 60 two-wheelers were on board when the engine broke down mid-river, causing the boat to drift 100 km with the current.

Local authorities sent diesel to refuel the steamer, according to New Indian Express, while Deccan Chronicle reports rescuers towed the vessel to the bank at Kachchapura in Bhind district. Morena collector Lokesh Jangid told PTI that all passengers were safe and the boat had no life jackets. The Chambal River is known to be infested with crocodiles.

The steamer was travelling from Porsa in Morena district to the Bateshwar Mahadev temple in Uttar Pradesh. Such trips are common on Mondays during the month of Shravan, which falls in the rainy season.