Boat Engine Catches Fire in Narmada River at Omkareshwar; All Passengers Rescued
A boat engine caught fire in the Narmada River near Gomukh Ghat in Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday morning around 11 am. Flames suddenly erupted from boat number 198's engine, triggering panic among the five to six passengers on board. The alert boatman immediately transferred all passengers to another boat, preventing any casualties or injuries.
The Omkareshwar Municipal Council took swift action after learning of the incident. Chief Municipal Officer Monica Pardhi ordered the seizure of the boat's engine and directed an investigation into the fire's cause and whether safety standards were being followed. Revenue Inspector Jitendra Gohe was assigned to lead the probe.
The incident has renewed safety concerns in Omkareshwar, where similar boat fires have occurred previously. Questions have been raised about fuel handling, engine maintenance, passenger limits, availability of life jackets, and emergency rescue arrangements for boats operating in the river.
