Twenty-two people drowned as a boat capsized at Tuval beach near Ottumpuram in Tanur area of Kerala’s Malappuram district, on Sunday evening. The deceased include nine children. Although the number of people on board is not clear, the two-storey boat is said to be overloaded. The official record as per the ticket sold is 39, police said.
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar have expressed deep grief over the accident. While issuing condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced Rs 2 lakh financial aid to the kin of the deceased. Kerala Chief Minister and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also expressed grief over the boat accident.
Police said nine passengers were rushed to nearby private and government hospitals. The condition of four is critical. A rescue operation is on. The boat owner Nasir is absconding. A case of murder has been registered against him. The fishing boat was converted and used for tourism.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed grief over the accident. The Chief Minister’s Office has said that there will be state mourning on Monday. He has cancelled all government programmes as a mark of respect to the victims.
