The incident took place at around 4.10 p.m. as the three-day Rouf Memorial State Rafting Championship, named after the deceased tourist guide, was coming to an end. An employee of the Tourism Department, Rinku Raja from Udhampur, and a participant, Sanjna hailing from Reasi, died in the incident, said an official. Around 12 teams from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh were participating in the adventure sport. Two persons were killed and eight wounded when a boat capsized in Lidder river at Pahalgam in Anantnag district on Tuesday, just 18 days after a similar incident cost the life of a local tourist guide Rouf Ahmad Dar. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
“Eight people, including participants, were injured,” said the official.
The State Disaster Relief Force, the police and volunteers managed to rescue other rafters within 15 minutes of the incident. The Tourism department announced an inquiry to look into the circumstances leading to the “tragic raft capsize”.
Governor Satya Pal Malik expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of ?2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. Expressing concern over accidents occurring during the adventure sport, the Governor has issued directions to abide by strict safety measures.
Boat capsizes in Lidder river at Pahalgam, 2 died, 8 injured
