Srinagar, Apr 17:
In the aftermath of the devastating boat accident that claimed the lives of six individuals in the Gandbal area of central Kashmir’s Srinagar district, families of the three still missing have endured a harrowing wait on the river banks, clinging to hope for their safe return.
Among them is Saja Begum, the elderly mother of Showket Ahmad Sheikh, a mason, who, along with his son, had set out to drop the young boy at school in Batwara. Holding tightly onto a picture of her son, Saja has spent sleepless nights beseeching rescue teams for any sign of her loved ones. Refusing food until their return, she epitomizes the anguish and desperation of those awaiting news of their missing kin.
Sameer Wani, a member of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), has been inundated with distressed calls from Saja’s family seeking updates on the search efforts. With six lives lost and three more, including a father-son duo, still unaccounted for, the community remains gripped by grief and anxiety.
Mudasir Ahmad Sheikh, another local, stood vigil alongside rescue teams throughout the night, his heart heavy with sorrow for his missing neighbors. Despite the tragedy, there remains a glimmer of hope as water levels recede, aiding search operations.
Survivors of the calamity recount the terrifying moments when the boat, navigating smoothly, was suddenly torn apart by the force of a snapped rope, crashing into an iron pillar. Mushtaq Ahmad Sheikh, one of the fortunate few who escaped the watery grave, recalls the panic and chaos as locals rushed to the rescue, their heroic efforts preventing further loss of life.
The boat’s collision with the iron pillar, a component of an incomplete footbridge, underscores the negligence and delay in crucial infrastructure projects. Noor Mohammad, another survivor, vividly recalls the desperate struggle of children to stay afloat amidst the swift currents, saved only by the swift response of locals and rescue teams.
As the search for the missing trio continues, the community mourns its losses and braces for the long road to recovery, grateful for the second chance at life granted to some, yet burdened by the weight of those who remain missing.
