Surat: A one-year-old boy went missing after a boat carrying seven people capsized in the Par river near Umarsadi village in Valsad district on Tuesday. Despite a day-long search operation involving local swimmers, fishermen and rescue teams, the toddler could not be traced.The incident occurred near the river’s estuary when several boats had gathered for a religious ritual involving the bathing of the Laljibapa idol. According to villagers, the boats were returning after the ritual when one of them capsized. The boat’s propeller became entangled in ropes used for fishing nets that had been stretched across the river. As the boat attempted to free itself, it struck rocks, lost balance and capsized.All seven people on board fell into the river. Six were rescued by occupants of nearby boats and local fishermen. However, amid the chaos, the one-year-old boy slipped from his grandmother’s hands and is feared to have drowned.The accident occurred during low tide. A high tide followed and the water level later receded again, making the search operation extremely difficult.Rescuers from the Chandrapur life saver group, along with fire brigade teams from Valsad and Pardi, rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident. Police teams also joined the rescue operation, while a 108-emergency ambulance and fire personnel were deployed at the site.“The search was carried out by swimmers and fishermen, but the boy was not found. Police will take the help of an NDRF team to search for the boy,” a police officer at Pardi police station said.A local villager said devotees traditionally visit the river estuary on Agiyaras to bathe the Laljibapa idol before reinstalling it at the temple. Several boats participate in the ritual each year.
