The boat was making trips last evening flouting the rules.
The accident took place at Thuval Theram in Ottubram. According to sources, most of the passengers were children as it was a summer vacation Sunday. At least three women and four children are said to be among the dead. The boat capsized around 7 pm and lack of light initially hampered the rescue operation.
Minister V Abdurrahman, who is coordinating the rescue operations, said by 10.30 p.m. information was received that more than 30 people were on the boat and several people were confirmed dead. He said the area was a muddy area and rescuers were still pulling people out of the water.
The minister said such boats should not operate services after 5 pm and such details would be examined later as the priority was for rescue operations. Police, fire force and proper lighting arrangements have been made to carry out the rescue operation. However, the number of casualties is very high, he said. He also confirmed that the boat had indeed capsized and sunk.
PM Narendra has expressed condolences to the bereaved families and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each of the deceased.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has directed the district administration to coordinate rescue operations effectively.
Tanur municipality chairman PP Shamudin said the boat capsized at the point where the Purpuzha river joins the Arabian Sea. He told that the incident took place after 7 pm.
“The exact number of passengers on the boat is not known. However, everyone in the area says that it was heavily overloaded. It seems to have capsized only due to overloading and the boat must have lost its balance at some point .. When we confirmed nine deaths, we had recovered five more bodies, so the number is likely to rise,” Shamsuddin said.
The boat which overturned had two decks. Fire and rescue units and local fishermen were carrying out rescue operations since the incident and it continued till late night. At least six people were initially rescued and taken to different hospitals in the area. According to sources, one of the rescued girls has been admitted to Tirurangadi hospital and her condition is stable. Reports on the conditions of the other survivors are yet to be confirmed.
More than 40 passengers are feared aboard the boat. A small boat initially reached the spot where the incident took place and rescued some passengers who were taken to hospitals in Tanur, Tirurangadi and other hospitals.
According to sources, hospitals in the area have been put on alert and beds with ventilator facilities are ready to treat victims who can be revived. The rescuers were able to pull the boat to the ground with the help of a rope during the night and the bodies were also recovered from the boat.
(with agency inputs)