Thirteen children died after an overloaded boat capsized on the Ganges River in Vaishali district, Bihar, authorities reported. The incident occurred late Tuesday as the vessel was carrying passengers to a Hindu festival. Rescuers recovered the bodies from the water during nighttime operations aided by mobile phone lights and torches.

Local residents played a crucial role in the rescue efforts amid the darkness. Ravi Yadav, a villager involved in the response, described hearing the children calling for help before the boat overturned. Despite their efforts, only three children were pulled from the river alive, with some reportedly in critical condition.

Witnesses noted that the boat was small and in poor condition, ill-equipped to hold the large number of people on board. Villager Ramlakhan Rai emphasized the overcrowding and the devastating toll on families, some of whom lost multiple children in the accident.

In total, six individuals survived the capsizing, including two children who remain in critical condition. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the loss of young lives, describing the event as "deeply painful." The accident has raised renewed concerns about boat safety ahead of religious gatherings along the river. Local officials have pledged to review measures to prevent similar incidents during such events.