Many drown after houseboat capsizes in southern India
by Surya Prakash
At least 22 people were confirmed to have died and many more were feared missing after a houseboat capsized in southern India’s Kerala.
This incident took place near Thoovaltheeram beach in Tanur area of Malappuram district on May 7.
Visuals showed a rescue operation that was underway to save those who were feared trapped and also recover the bodies of the ones who drowned. A huge crowd had gathered at the spot of this incident. The rescue operation was hampered by the fact that it was dark. According to a report, eyewitnesses have stated that the boat had a capacity of 25 people but had 50 of them onboard at the time of this accident. Overcrowding might have led to the boat capsizing. The majority of the victims of this accident were women and children who stayed in neighbouring areas. It was also learnt that the boat violated rules as it did not have permission to operate beyond dusk.
But it still chose to because of a heavy rush of visitors. The death toll is expected to rise with many still missing. The passengers in the boat’s power deck could not escape unlike those of the upper deck as its doors were closed when it capsized. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also rushed to the spot from Thrissur to assist in the rescue operation. The rescued were rushed to hospitals in Tanur, Kozhikode, Manjeri and Kottakkal among other places.
One policeman named Sabarudheem, Senior Civil Police Officer, died in the incident.
The Kerala government announced the cancellation of all official work on Monday after this tragedy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his sadness after this tragedy happened and announced Rs 2 lakh ($2,447.41)
for the family members of those dead in this accident.