Rescue teams scour Kotri canal after boat overturns during Durga immersion
Kota, Rajasthan — A boat carrying seven people overturned during the immersion of Durga idols in the Kotri canal on Tuesday, leaving four persons missing while three who knew how to swim managed to reach the bank, police said.
Superintendent of Police Tejaswani Gautam said emergency response units, including professional divers, have been pressed into service and teams are conducting continuous search operations to trace the missing occupants.
"A rescue operation is currently in progress; our top priority is to ensure the safe recovery of the four missing persons," Tejaswani Gautam said, adding that the administration has obtained the names of some of those on the boat.
The incident occurred on Canal Road along the Kotri canal, an area where locals gather for immersion rituals during Durga Puja. According to the police, the craft was carrying seven people when it capsized. Three of the occupants, because they could swim, were able to exit the water; the remaining four were unaccounted for at the time of the report.
Search operations, safety advisory and authorised immersion points
Authorities said the district administration has designated specific immersion sites that are equipped with rescue boats and trained divers to reduce the risk of such accidents. The administration reiterated that it is not feasible to station rescue resources at every point along the canal and urged residents to perform immersions only at authorised locations.
- Incident: Boat capsized during Durga idol immersion on Kotri canal, Kota.
- Occupants: Seven people on board; three rescued, four missing.
- Response: Professional divers and emergency teams conducting round‑the‑clock searches.
- Advice: Use designated immersion zones where rescue facilities are available.
The police did not provide the identities of those missing in their initial briefing, but Gautam said the administration has obtained names of some of the people who were on the boat. No details were immediately available about the vessel’s capacity, lifejackets or the circumstances that caused it to capsize.
Local context — why authorised sites matter
Kota’s network of canals and drains is widely used for religious immersions during festivals, but water currents, variable depths and limited visibility can turn such gatherings dangerous. Designated immersion zones are typically chosen to allow easier access for rescue craft and divers, and to keep the public away from strong currents or obstructed stretches.
Officials reiterated that while authorities aim to keep immersion locations safe, communities also bear responsibility: avoiding overcrowding on small boats, using lifejackets, and following directions from on‑site safety personnel can reduce the likelihood of such tragedies.
Separate road accident reported in Ajmer
In a separate development earlier in the week, a road crash in the Sendariya Kat area under Adarsh Nagar police limits in Ajmer resulted in one fatality. The deceased was identified as Meva Meva Rawat, according to police briefings. Local residents temporarily blocked the road to demand improved safety measures including speed breakers and dividers; police intervened to bring the situation under control.
The two incidents together have prompted renewed focus across the state on festival‑time safety — both on water and on roads — as public gatherings intensify during the festive season.
| Item | Count |
|---|---|
| People on boat | 7 |
| Rescued | 3 |
| Missing | 4 |
Police said searches are ongoing and appeals have been issued to local residents who may have information to assist the operation. The administration has asked that immersion ceremonies be limited to the authorised sites where rescue infrastructure is in place.
Further details, including the identities of the missing persons and the outcome of search operations, were awaited at the time of filing.
Meera Solanki is a correspondent covering Rajasthan.
