The state government of Kerala said that a houseboat carrying more than 30 passengers collapsed and drowned close to the Thoovaltheeram beach in the Tanur region on Sunday, killing twenty persons, including women and children. As of this morning, the rescue mission was still in progress.
As a gesture of respect for the deaths, Monday has been designated a day of official mourning, and all government events are postponed.
Based on data from several hospitals where some of the visitors had been hospitalised, sports minister V Abdurahiman said that 20 fatalities had been verified. Many of those who perished were mothers and children who had travelled together when the summer break was still in effect.
According to Abdurahiman, four patients in serious condition have been taken to a hospital in Kottakkal. The minister said, “Of the 20 bodies, 15 have been identified.” More corpses are anticipated to be retrieved from within the boat, he said, adding that it is already being carried ashore.
Rescue efforts are in progress as it's thought that more individuals are trapped beneath the boat this morning.
The next of kin of each victim would get an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Saddened by the deaths caused by the boat accident in Malappuram, Kerala. Condolences to the families of the deceased. The Prime Minister's Office reported Modi as stating in a tweet that each dead person's next of kin will get an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF.
In a statement, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his condolences for the victims' deaths and gave the district collector the go-ahead to organise an emergency rescue effort. “Deeply pained by the unfortunate death toll in the Malappuram Tanur boat disaster. The District administration has been instructed to efficiently coordinate the rescue efforts, which are being managed by Cabinet Ministers. He tweeted, “Heartfelt sympathies to the mourning families & friends.
Cause is still unknown
PK Kunhalikutty, an MLA for the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), has said that the death toll is anticipated to rise as rescue efforts continue. The former minister described the occurrence as “a very tragic and unfortunate one.”
Speaking to reporters from a government hospital close to Tanur, he claimed that the ship's capsize is thought to have been caused by overcrowding. Boats are not meant to be used for rides after 6 o'clock, but it's thought that this restriction was broken, he said.
According to the police, the event happened at 7 p.m. along an estuary close to the Thoovaltheeram beach in Tanur. Those that were saved were checked into local public and private hospitals. They continued by saying that the accident's precise cause is yet unknown.
