Speedboat Horror in Puri: Sourav Ganguly’s Family Escapes Tragedy by Seconds

In a heart-stopping incident that unfolded on the shores of Puri, Odisha, the family of former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly faced a near-death experience during a speedboat ride. Snehasish Ganguly, Sourav’s elder brother, and his wife Arpita miraculously escaped unharmed after their boat capsized in the rough seas near the Lighthouse area on Saturday evening, as confirmed by local police on Monday.

The serene beaches of Puri, often a haven for tourists seeking adventure, turned into a scene of terror when a massive wave struck the speedboat carrying Snehasish, Arpita, and a few other passengers. Video footage aired by local news channels captured the harrowing moment when the boat, battling the turbulent waters of the Bay of Bengal, lost balance and flipped over, throwing everyone into the sea.

Recounting the ordeal, a visibly shaken Arpita described the wave as “almost ten-storeys high,” an exaggerated yet vivid depiction of the sheer force of nature they encountered. “We were saved by the grace of God. I’m still in trauma. This should not happen to anyone,” she said in a video message accessed by PTI. She further expressed her intent to escalate the matter, stating, “I will write to the Puri SP and Odisha Chief Minister after returning to Kolkata to ensure such incidents are prevented.”

Thanks to the swift response of the lifeguards stationed at the beach, all passengers were rescued promptly. The lifeguards deployed rubber floats to bring the tourists to safety, averting what could have been a tragic loss of life. The Puri police have since launched an inquiry into the incident, focusing on the safety protocols followed by the private adventure sports operator.

Arpita pointed fingers at the “greed” of the operators, alleging that the boat was unstable and ill-equipped to handle the high tides. “The vessel, designed for ten passengers, was carrying only four of us, making it unbalanced against the rough sea,” she explained. She also claimed that despite raising concerns about the worsening weather conditions, the operators assured them of safety, only for disaster to strike moments later.

Locals and eyewitnesses have corroborated Arpita’s claims, alleging that the speedboat was manned by untrained staff hired by the private company. “The crew lacked the skills to navigate through high tides, and essential safety protocols were blatantly ignored,” an eyewitness recounted. Further allegations surfaced that the company had been conducting water sports activities without the necessary permissions from the Puri district administration, raising serious questions about oversight in the region’s tourism sector.

This incident adds to the growing concerns about the safety of water sports in coastal areas of India, particularly in popular destinations like Puri, which attract thousands of tourists annually, including during the famous Rath Yatra festival. Data from the Odisha Tourism Department indicates that water sports incidents have risen by 15% over the past five years due to lax regulation and inadequate training.

Arpita has urged the government to enforce stricter regulations on water sports and even suggested a potential ban on such activities in high-risk zones. “The thrill of adventure should not come at the cost of human lives,” she emphasized. As the Ganguly family recovers from this traumatic experience, their narrow escape serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and safety in India’s adventure tourism industry.

The incident not only shakes the Ganguly family—deeply rooted in Indian cricket through Sourav’s legendary captaincy—but also casts a spotlight on the darker side of unregulated tourism. Will this wake-up call finally prompt authorities to act, or will the waves of negligence continue to endanger lives? Only time will tell.