Rescuers recovered five more bodies from Jabalpur district’s Bargi Dam, where a cruise boat capsized, taking the toll to nine on Friday, while a frantic search continued for six tourists still missing as the Madhya Pradesh government ordered a probe into the tragedy that raised questions about safety lapses.While 28 tourists were rescued, teams from the Army, NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) intensified their search for the missing people in the dam reservoir, where the MP tourism department-operated boat overturned on Thursday, officials said.”Our relief and rescue teams have safely evacuated approximately 29 people. The rescue operation is still going on, and nine bodies have been recovered from the Bargi Dam so far,” Chief Minister Mohan Yadav told reporters in Bhopal.Four boat passengers drowned on Thursday.The MP government ordered a probe into the cruise boat accident at the Bargi Dam, built on the Narmada River, and banned the operation of such vessels in the state.Yadav, while offering condolences to the families of the victims, said locals who risked their lives to save tourists during the accident will be honoured on Independence Day for their bravery.The CM said the tourism department will investigate the accident caused by a seasonal cyclone to prevent such incidents.Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the tragedy and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PM National Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.Modi, in a post on ‘X’, said, “The loss of lives due to the capsizing of a boat in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, is extremely painful. I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this tragic mishap. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. The local administration is assisting those affected.”The ill-fated cruise boat, which overturned after encountering a sudden storm on Thursday evening, has been retrieved from the dam water, and no one was found inside, an official said.Jabalpur City Superintendent of Police Anjul Aayan Mishra said a search was on to trace the six people still missing.


