Three international vacationers, from Bangladesh, misplaced their lives in a serious hearth that engulfed a houseboat on Dal Lake. The incident occurred close to ghat 9 on the well-known lake, a outstanding attraction for vacationers visiting the summer time capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The blaze rapidly unfold and engulfed 5 houseboats specifically Safeena, Sab Teena, Younger Gulshan, Lala Rukh, and Khar Palace. The victims, burnt past recognition, have been recovered from the particles of the gutted houseboats.
Three vacationers from Bangladesh specifically Anindaya Kowshal, Das Gupta, and Mohammad Moinud, who have been staying in houseboat ‘Safeena’ misplaced their lives within the devastating hearth. In the meantime, eight individuals staying in these houseboats have been rescued and evacuated to security by joint efforts of Srinagar Police, State Catastrophe Response Fund (SDRF), Vacationer Police, Fireplace & Emergency Providers (F&ES), and civilians.
Preliminary investigations point out that the fireplace originated from a malfunctioning heating equipment in one of many houseboats within the early hours, in line with information company PTI’s report. The precise trigger is but to be decided. The authorities have extracted DNA samples from the victims to determine their identities.
The hearth, which erupted round 5.15 am, resulted within the destruction of property price crores of rupees, officers instructed PTI. Native residents and hearth and emergency companies personnel labored tirelessly to carry the blaze underneath management. This incident marks the second main hearth involving houseboats on Dal and Nigeen lakes. In April 2022, seven houseboats have been destroyed in a hearth on Nigeen Lake, inflicting substantial losses however, luckily, no casualties.
Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Aijaz, together with senior tourism division officers, visited the scene to evaluate the scenario. They assured all attainable help in rebuilding the broken houseboats.
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Business (KCCI) expressed condolences over the incident, emphasizing the numerous loss to the heritage houseboat inhabitants, PTI reported. KCCI President Javid Ahmad Tenga urged the administration to promptly assess losses and supply ethical and financial compensation for victims’ rehabilitation. Moreover, the KCCI known as for swift permissions for the reconstruction of the gutted houseboats and the well timed provide of required timber.