Explainer: No Live Jackets, No Safety Measures, Know Why 16 Students, 2 Teachers Died In Vadodara Boat Capsize

A tragic incident of boat capsizing in Gujarat's Harani Lake in Vadodara claimed 16 lives, including 14 children and two teachers on Thursday. According to the reports, the ill-fated boat carried a total of 23 children and four teachers at the time of the incident. While the rescue team diligently worked on the operation, managing to save five children from the lake, the toll on human lives remains devastating. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi have personally visited the spot to assess and oversee the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

According to reports, the students and teachers, who were enjoying boating on a picnic trip, were not equipped with life jackets when the saddening incident happened. Following this tragic incident, the state police and fire brigade promptly initiated a search operation to find the missing students.

Shockingly, the capacity of the boat was for only 14 people but there were more than 30 people onboard, out of which only 14-15 people wore the life safety jackets.

"One of the two teachers who died was not even on the boat. Seeing the dead bodies of the children, the teacher collapsed on the spot," an official engaged in the rescue operation told the media.

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said, "Soon after the incident, the Collector, Police Commissioner, Municipal Commissioner & more than 60 jawans of NDRF and Fire Brigade reached the spot immediately. To ensure justice, CM has ordered a strong inquiry and IPC sections 304, 308, and 114 have been invoked against the accused. Two accused have been nabbed and a magisterial inquiry has been handed over to Vadodara District Collector...FIR has been registered and 9 teams have been formed to arrest the accused. PM has announced Rs 2 Lakhs each for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. State Govt has announced Rs 4 Lakhs each for the next of kin of deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured."

Following the tragic incident, Gujarat police have detained several individuals, including the primary accused after registering the case under the Indian Penal Code's sections 304, 308, and 337 at Harni police station.

Ex-gratia announced for victims:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragic incident and announced an ex gratia to the families of the deceased and injured. "Distressed by the loss of lives due to a boat capsizing at the Harni lake in Vadodara. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected. An ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," PMO announced through a tweet.

How Life Jackets Work:

Life jackets, also known as personal flotation devices (PFDs), are designed to help individuals stay afloat in water and prevent drowning. They work based on principles of buoyancy and are constructed to provide sufficient buoyant force to keep a person's body afloat. Here's how life jackets generally work:

Buoyancy Material:

Life jackets are filled with buoyant materials, often foam or inflatable chambers filled with air. These materials displace water, creating upward force or buoyancy.

Distribution of Buoyancy:

The buoyant material is strategically placed to ensure that the life jacket provides enough lift to keep the wearer's head and upper body above the water's surface. This helps in maintaining a proper floating position.

Proper Fit:

Life jackets come in various sizes and designs, and it's crucial to wear one that fits properly. A well-fitted life jacket ensures that the buoyant material is in the right position to support the wearer's body.

Adjustable Straps and Buckles:

Most life jackets have adjustable straps and buckles to secure them snugly around the wearer. This prevents the life jacket from slipping off in the water and helps maintain its effectiveness.

Inflatable Life Jackets:

Some life jackets are inflatable, and they contain a gas cartridge or manual inflation tube. In case of emergency, the wearer can manually inflate the life jacket by pulling a cord or blowing it into the inflation tube. Automatic inflation mechanisms are also available that activate when they come in contact with water.

Reflective Strips and Whistles:

Many modern life jackets come with reflective strips for increased visibility in the water. They may also have attached whistles to attract attention and signal for help.