How Did a Boat Capsize During Durga Idol Immersion Kill 4 Young Men in Kota's Kotri Canal?

Quick answer: Four young men — Vikas Verma (22), Suraj Singh (22), Ashu Joshi (19) and Rahul Joshi (18) — died when a wooden boat carrying seven people overturned during Durga idol immersion in the Kotri canal in Kota, Rajasthan, on the evening of 20 October 2026. Their bodies were recovered about 100 metres downstream from where the boat went down, roughly 18 hours after the accident.

Key facts

• What: Boat capsizing during Durga idol immersion
• Where: Kotri canal, Kota, Rajasthan, India
• When: Around 5:30 PM on Tuesday, 20 October 2026
• Toll: 4 dead, all aged 18 to 22
• Sources: Lokmat Times (IANS syndicated feed), Hindustan Times
• Status: developing — details may change as the investigation proceeds

What happened

The accident took place around 5:30 PM on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, when seven people were swept away as their wooden boat overturned in the Kotri canal during Durga idol immersion in Rajasthan's Kota district. Four of those on board went missing in the water. Their bodies were found on Wednesday morning, 21 October 2026 — roughly 18 hours after the capsize — about 100 metres downstream from where the boat overturned.

Reports suggest the incident coincided with water being released into the canal, a factor investigators will examine as they establish the exact cause of the accident. The boatman reportedly fled the scene after the tragedy.

The victims

The four dead were named as Vikas Verma (22), Suraj Singh (22), Ashu Joshi (19) and Rahul Joshi (18). Ashu Joshi and Rahul Joshi were cousins. The bodies were sent to MBS Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Emergency response

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) led the search operation. Additional SP Subhash Chandra Mishra confirmed that rescue efforts were suspended at 10:30 PM on Tuesday due to darkness and resumed at 5:30 AM on Wednesday. SDRF in-charge Ekta Hada stated that six rescue boats were deployed — three from the NDRF and three from the SDRF — with the search extended downstream towards Umaidganj. Local fishermen also assisted in the recovery efforts.

Official reaction and what happens next

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar visited the site, alongside senior administrative officials. Police and the administration will now examine the circumstances of the capsize — including the water release into the canal and the condition of the boat — to establish responsibility.

Frequently asked questions

### How many people died in the Kota boat capsize? Four young men — Vikas Verma (22), Suraj Singh (22), Ashu Joshi (19) and Rahul Joshi (18) — died when their wooden boat overturned during Durga idol immersion in the Kotri canal, Kota, on 20 October 2026.

Where did the boat capsize happen?

In the Kotri canal in Kota, Rajasthan, India. The bodies were recovered about 100 metres downstream from the capsizing site, roughly 18 hours after the accident.

When did the accident happen?

Around 5:30 PM on Tuesday, 20 October 2026. Rescue efforts were suspended at 10:30 PM that night due to darkness and resumed at 5:30 AM on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.

What caused the boat to capsize?

The exact cause has not been officially confirmed. Reports suggest the incident coincided with water being released into the canal, which investigators are expected to examine. The boatman reportedly fled the scene after the tragedy.

Who responded to the accident?

The NDRF and SDRF led the search and rescue operation, deploying six rescue boats with assistance from local fishermen. The bodies were sent to MBS Hospital for post-mortem.