The pilot of the cruise boat thatcapsized at Bargi Dam, killing eleven tourists, has apologised to the victims’ families but maintained the tragedy was an “act of nature,” even as his own account pointed to serious safety laps. Mahesh Patel, as per a report by NDTV, described the sequence of events of Thursday evening, when the boat carrying around 43 passengers, including crew members, overturned after being caught in a sudden and severe storm. Patel also acknowledged lapses such as delayed life jacket use, ignored weather alerts, and inadequate crew strength.
Recounting the incident, Patel told NDTV, "When we departed from here, the weather was fine. However, as soon as we reached that spot, strong winds began to blow. I immediately turned the boat around, but the storm intensified rapidly, waves began crashing over the deck, and water started flooding into the vessel."
He admitted that life jackets were not worn at the start of the journey. "As the boat filled with water, I called the reception desk and requested that they dispatch another boat, warning them that an accident was imminent. We then began helping the passengers put on their life jackets," he said. When asked why they were not issued earlier, he added, "People often refuse to wear the jackets. In this instance, they were dancing, so they weren't wearing them."
He further said, "No, we were not apprised of the weather conditions. The accident occurred approximately half an hour after the cruise had commenced." Patel also revealed that the crew was short-staffed. "Our crew typically consists of three members: a pilot and two assistants. However, on that particular day, it was just a single assistant and me," he said.
He also claimed, "God is my witness, no one told me that the wind was picking up, take the boat back to shore," and said he was the last to leave the vessel.
The Madhya Pradesh government has since terminated Patel and other staff, while Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has ordered a high-level probe.
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