The Border Security Force (BSF) carried out a critical rescue operation in West Bengal’s Malda after a boat carrying Bangladeshi nationals capsized in the strong currents of the Ganga River. Ten people, including three children, three women and four men, were rescued after they were found struggling in the river. Among those saved was a 30-day-old infant whose condition was initially described as critical.
Boat Capsizes Amid Strong River Currents
The incident took place on the evening of September 12, when BSF personnel from the 71 Battalion, operating under the Malda Sector, noticed several people in distress near the Border Out Post Khandua. The group had reportedly been caught in the powerful currents after their boat overturned while crossing the river.
The dangerous situation unfolded in the Padma-Ganga river system. According to information provided to the BSF, the passengers were travelling from Chapai Nawabganj towards Joharpur village in Bangladesh when the boat capsized. The strong current subsequently carried them towards the Indian side of the river.
The sudden accident placed all passengers at serious risk, particularly the children and the infant travelling with the group. With the river flowing strongly, a delay in reaching them could have resulted in a major tragedy.
BSF Launches Immediate Rescue Operation
After spotting the people struggling in the water, BSF personnel quickly responded to the emergency. The troops launched a rescue operation and moved towards the location using a speedboat.
The operation was conducted under challenging river conditions, with the rescue team working to reach the stranded passengers before they were swept farther away by the current.
BSF personnel managed to bring all 10 people to safety. The rescued group consisted of three children, three women and four men, according to the force.
The operation highlighted the importance of rapid response along the India-Bangladesh border, particularly in areas where waterways and strong seasonal currents can create sudden emergencies.
30-Day-Old Infant Receives Urgent Medical Attention
The youngest person among those rescued was a 30-day-old infant. The baby was reportedly in critical condition following the incident and required immediate medical attention.
BSF personnel provided first aid before taking the infant to the nearest government hospital. According to the force, the child’s condition subsequently stabilised and was reported to be normal.
The safe rescue of the infant was one of the most critical aspects of the operation, as the child would have been particularly vulnerable after being caught in the river following the boat accident.
The incident therefore ended without any reported loss of life among the 10 people who were swept towards the Indian side.
Rescued Passengers Identified as Bangladesh Residents
Following the rescue, the individuals told BSF personnel that they were residents of Joharpur village in Bangladesh. They had been travelling from Chapai Nawabganj to Joharpur when their boat overturned while crossing the Padma River.
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The Padma is the name commonly used for the Ganga in Bangladesh, and the river forms an important part of the region’s waterway network. Strong currents can make river crossings particularly hazardous, especially when boats are carrying multiple passengers.
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The passengers were subsequently taken through the necessary procedures following their rescue.
10 Bangladeshis Handed Over to Border Guard Bangladesh
After completing the required formalities, the BSF handed over all 10 rescued Bangladeshi nationals to personnel of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
The handover was made to the 53 BGB troops, according to reports based on information from the BSF. The process followed the rescue operation and ensured that the individuals could be returned through the appropriate channel.
The episode comes as another example of the risks faced by people travelling across the waterways along the India-Bangladesh border. It also underscores how rapidly changing river conditions can turn an ordinary journey into a life-threatening emergency.
Swift Response Prevents Major Tragedy
The rescue operation in Malda prevented what could have become a serious tragedy. Ten people were caught in the river after their boat capsized, while the presence of three children and a month-old infant added urgency to the situation.
The BSF’s quick detection of the distressed passengers, followed by the deployment of a speedboat and immediate rescue efforts, ensured that all 10 people were brought out safely.
For the infant, prompt first aid and medical treatment proved especially important. The child’s condition later stabilised, according to the BSF.
The incident also demonstrates the challenges associated with riverine stretches along the international border, where strong currents and unpredictable water conditions can create emergencies within minutes. In this case, timely intervention by the BSF helped ensure that the accident did not result in fatalities.
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