Gujarat: A boat carrying workers near the coast of Jambusar, in Gujarat’s Bharuch district, capsized on Saturday, leaving one person dead, another missing and dozens rescued. In response to mounting public concern, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) issued a clarification on Sunday stating that the vessel was neither managed nor supervised by the company, and none of those aboard were ONGC employees.

The accident occurred close to the village of Asarsa in the Gulf of Khambhat during what local authorities described as a routine survey assignment. According to the police, the capsizing took place due to a sudden surge in tidal currents, causing the boat to overturn near high tide around 4:00 PM.

Local reports indicate that between 50 and 60 workers were on board at the time of the incident. Of those, one — identified as Rohit Makwana, the boat’s owner — tragically lost his life. Another worker, Naresh Anop Rathod, remains missing, and is being searched for by rescuers, locals and nearby fishermen. Several others were rescued and taken to hospitals for treatment.

Scrutiny over safety protocols arose quickly, with rescued workers alleging the boat lacked basic safety equipment such as life jackets — raising questions about compliance with marine safety norms.

In its official statement, ONGC clarified that the boat and the survey work were commissioned to a third-party contractor, Asian Energy Services Ltd. (AESL), and that the personnel onboard were not its employees. ONGC emphasized that it neither supervised nor managed the vessel or its operations.

Local administration has registered an accidental death case. Meanwhile, a search and rescue operation involving local fishermen and authorities continues in hopes of finding the missing worker.

The incident has sparked renewed debate over safety oversight in offshore and coastal survey operations, particularly in oil and gas exploration zones such as the Gulf of Khambhat. Given the region’s history of seismic and survey activities by multiple private contractors and public-sector companies, critics argue that stricter safety audits and mandatory compliance with marine safety standards are urgently needed.

The broader context underlines the risks associated with marine survey work and the vulnerabilities faced by contract workers — especially when oversight mechanisms are weak or accountability unclear. As investigations continue, civil-society groups and labour rights advocates have called for full disclosure of contractor arrangements, safety audits, and compensation for affected families.

For now, ONGC’s statement seeks to draw a clear line of separation between itself and the capsize incident. Whether this will satisfy demands for accountability and safety reforms remains to be seen. Public pressure may mount if further details — such as contractor regulatory compliance, vessel condition, and responsibility for safety gear — come to light.