Kerala Boat Tragedy Updates: A houseboat with over 30 passengers on board capsized and sank near Thuvalathiram beach in Tanur area of Kerala’s Malappuram district on Sunday. The death toll rose to 21 as rescue operations continued on Monday. Women and children are also among the dead. A helicopter was called in to assist in the search and rescue operation.
what the government said
Sports Minister V Abdurrahiman said 20 people were confirmed dead based on information received from various hospitals where people were pulled out of the water and admitted inside the boat. Abdurahman said four people were admitted to the Kottakkal hospital in critical condition.
“The boat is being towed ashore and more bodies are expected to be recovered from inside,” he told PTI.
Abdurrahman said most of the dead were women and children who had come to visit during school holidays.
PM Modi announced relief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the deaths and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each victim. “Suffering from loss of lives due to boat accident in Kerala’s Malappuram. Condolences to the bereaved families. Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia from PMNRF (Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund) will be provided to the next of kin of each.” Deceased,” Modi was quoted as saying in a tweet by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also condoled the death of people in the accident. “Distressed by the news of a houseboat capsizing in Malappuram, Kerala. My heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones, and wishing speedy recovery to the injured,” he said in a tweet.
“I appeal to Congress workers to help the authorities in the rescue operation,” he said.
Following the accident, Health Minister Veena George called an emergency meeting to assess the situation, the state government said in a statement.
The statement said that George directed that specialist treatment be ensured for the injured and the post-mortem process be expedited so that the bodies could be handed over to the relatives at the earliest.
The postmortem will be carried out at Tirur, Thirurangadi, Perinthalmanna hospitals and Manachery Medical College by bringing in adequate staff including doctors from districts such as Thrissur and Kozhikode.
According to the statement, the minister has given strict instructions to conduct the postmortem from 6 am onwards and if possible in private hospitals where some of the bodies are kept.
Earlier, speaking to reporters, Abdurrahiman said: “More victims are believed to be trapped under the boat and have to be brought out. The boat capsized. The reason is not yet known. Police will investigate.” “
He is coordinating the rescue operations with Tourism Minister PA Mohd Riyas.
CM Vijayan’s statement
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan issued a statement condoling the deaths and directed the district collector to carry out a coordinated emergency rescue operation.
Fire and police units, revenue and health department officials and local residents of Tanur and Tirur were involved in the rescue operation, the statement said.
The Chief Minister’s Office said Vijayan would visit the spot on Monday.
According to the statement, Monday has been declared an official day of mourning and all government events have been suspended out of respect for the victims.
Earlier, PK Kunhalikutty, an MLA from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), said the death toll was expected to rise as rescue operations continued.
“It is a very sad and unfortunate incident,” the former minister said.
Talking to reporters from a government hospital near Tanur here, he said overcrowding is believed to be the reason for the sinking of the ship.
Boats should not be allowed to ride after 6 pm, but the rule is believed to have been flouted in this case, he said.
The incident took place around 7 pm near the mouth of Thuvalathiram beach in Tanur, police said.
The rescued people have been admitted to nearby private and government hospitals. He said that the exact cause of the accident is not known at the moment.
(with PTI inputs)