Gandhinagar: Prime Minister, Narendra Modi today announced an ex-gratia for the victims of the drowning incident in Dehgam, Gujarat. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased and the injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

The Prime Minister’s Office posted on X, “PM Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the drowning incident in Dehgam, Gujarat. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”

Eight people drowned while bathing in the Meshwo River in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district on Friday evening. The victims were residents of Vasna Sogthi village in Dehgam taluka, and the incident occurred near the village, as confirmed by Sub Divisional Magistrate B B Modiya.

Earlier, the Prime Minister expressed his condolences for the loss of life, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the news of the loss of life in the drowning incident in Dehgam taluk of Gujarat. My condolences to all the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. May God grant peace to the departed souls… Om Shanti.”

ગુજરાતના દહેગામ તાલુકામાં ડૂબી જવાની ઘટનામાં થયેલ જાનહાનિના સમાચારથી અત્યંત દુઃખ થયું. આ દુર્ઘટનામાં જેમણે પોતાનાં સ્વજનોને ગુમાવ્યા છે એ સૌ પરિવારો સાથે મારી સંવેદના વ્યક્ત કરું છું. ઈશ્વર દિવંગત આત્માઓને શાંતિ અર્પણ કરે એ જ પ્રાર્થના….

ૐ શાંતિ….॥

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 13, 2024

The official who led the search and rescue efforts explained that a group of villagers, who had gone to the river to immerse Ganesh idols, saw the tragedy unfold and alerted authorities. “Upon receiving the information, police and fire brigade personnel quickly arrived at the scene. We recovered eight bodies from the river. One person initially reported missing was later found safe in the village, leading to the conclusion of the rescue operation, which continued into the evening,” official stated. The official added that while the victims were local residents, they likely misjudged the river’s depth, which had increased due to an under-construction check dam nearby. DeshGujarat