Pahalgam Boat Capsize: Tourism Department Announces Probe

Expresses regret over death of rafter, employee

Srinagar, June 18: The Department of Tourism Kashmir on Tuesday announced to conduct an inquiry into the tragic raft capsize at Pahalgam in which its employee and a participant drowned in river Lidder after the closure of the events for the day. Besides the death of two persons, eight others suffered injuries in the incident.

According to a statement issued by the department, an employee Rinku Raja from Udhampur and a participant Sanjna hailing from Reasi died in the incident when they along with other participants took out raft for a joy ride in river Lidder.

The SDRF, police and volunteers managed to rescue other rafters within 15 minutes of the incident and were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The incident happened after the conclusion of the Rouf Memorial State Rafting Championship events of the day at 4.10 pm. The 3-day event began on June 17, 2019, in which 12 teams from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh participated.

The department has expressed deep regrets over the incident and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families. (GNS)