Team News Riveting
Kochi, May 7
A Sunday pleasure trip turned into a tragedy as a tourist houseboat capsized at Tanur in Malappuram district of Kerala on Sunday evening killing at least 11 people.
Of the victims, most are children. The mishap occurred at Thooval Theeram, a local tourism spot at Ottumpuram in Tanur, around 7 pm and rescue efforts are currently on.
Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman, who is coordinating the rescue operations along with Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas, said over 11 people died in the accident and most of them were children who had come for a ride amid ongoing school vacations. “More victims are believed to be trapped under the boat and have to be brought out.,” he said, adding that the boat had overturned.
As per reports, the boat was carrying more than 30 people and authorities are worried that the toll could go up. A report quoting an eye witness said the double-decker boat and those in the lower deck were feared stuck. Those rescued have been admitted to various hospitals in Tirurangady, Parappanagady, Kottakkal and Tanur.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan issued a statement condoling the deaths and directed the Malappuram District Collector to carry out a coordinated emergency rescue operation.
Fire and police units, officials from revenue and health departments and locals from Tanur and Tirur areas of the district were involved in the rescue operation, the statement said. It also said ministers Abdurahiman and Riyas would be coordinating the rescue operations.
The exact cause of the accident was not known at present and a probe would establish it, police said.
