Over 500 pilgrims visiting Ganga Sagar Mela in Bengal stranded in 2 ferries since midnight, rescued

The Indian Coast Guard, in coordination with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the local police, rescued over 500 pilgrims visiting the Ganga Sagar Mela from two different ferries, which got stuck in Muriganga off Kakdwip in West Bengal on Sunday midnight.

The ferry vessels -MV Icchamati and MV Agramati - were ferrying 511 pilgrims from Ganga Sagar Mela at Sagar Island to Kakdwip.

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Although the ferries got stuck on Sunday midnight, those stranded could not be rescued due to heavy fog. Authorities chalked out an evacuation plan and even roped in the Indian Coast Guard to rescue the stranded pilgrims.

Hovercrafts (air-cushion vehicles capable of travelling over land, water, mud, ice, and other surfaces) were pressed into service and the rescue operation started at 10 am on Monday. It took the personnel close to three hours to safely evacuate the 511 pilgrims stuck on the two ferries.

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The state government also provided breakfast for the pilgrims, who were without food and water from Sunday midnight.

Gangasagar Mela is one of the most popular melas held in Sagardwip, West Bengal. It is usually held during winter and the fair attracts thousands of pilgrims, where they take a holy dip in the river Ganges.

The Gangasagar pilgrimage is the second largest after the Kumbh Mela, which is held once in four years. According to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, this year more than 70 lakh people visited Ganga Sagar Mela which concluded after an eight-day rendezvous on Monday.