Massive Search Operation Underway as 12 Missing After Vehicle Plunges into Bhakra Canal

The accident occurred Friday night when the Force Trax Cruiser, carrying 14 passengers from Mehmara village, lost control near Sardarewala village in Ratia tehsil. The vehicle was returning from Fazilka, Punjab, where the passengers had attended a function earlier in the day. Poor visibility due to dense fog led to the vehicle losing balance and plunging into the canal. 

Rescue Operations

The rescue operation, led by Sadar Police Station in-charge Rajveer Singh, has been intensified with local villagers joining the efforts despite the challenging foggy conditions. Tohana SDM Jagdish Chandra and DSP Sanjay Bishnoi are personally overseeing the operation at the site. While one body has been recovered so far, the search continues for the remaining victims. However, strong water currents in the Bhakra Canal are significantly hampering the rescue efforts, making it difficult for the teams to locate and retrieve the missing individuals. 

An adult and a 10-year-old child managed to escape the accident and both survivors rushed to Ratia Civil Hospital for treatment. Their condition is being monitored by medical staff. 

Official Response

The local administration has launched a massive rescue operation in response to the tragic accident. Police teams from Sadar Police Station have been deployed to the site, working tirelessly through the night despite challenging conditions. Senior officials, including Tohana SDM Jagdish Chandra and DSP Sanjay Bishnoi, are personally overseeing the rescue efforts at the scene. The administration has also coordinated with local villagers who joined the search operation despite the dense fog. Multiple teams are working in shifts to ensure continuous search efforts.

Background

All passengers were residents of Mehmara village and the group was returning from a function in Fazilka, Punjab. The accident occurred due to extremely low visibility. Bhakra Canal's strong currents made escape difficult for passengers. 

The rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities working against challenging conditions to locate the missing individuals. Local officials have promised to continue the search until all victims are found.