AGRA, April 11 -- The deaths of 11 people in the Vrindavan boat tragedy point to a chain of negligence and mismanagement, with multiple lapses that could have been avoided. The tragedy might have been averted had basic safety measures, such as life jackets and limits on the number of passengers, been enforced.

There were no divers initially available for rescue, and the pontoon bridge was being dismantled using a JCB machine without adequate precautions or permission. Boat operations were not halted during the process, despite the evident risks.

There were also no clear regulations on the number of passengers allowed on a boat. A survivor said that more than 40 people had initially boarded one vessel; six were later shifted to another b...