Rescue operations underway after a boat capsized near Tuvalathiram beach in Tanur area of Malappuram district on Sunday, 7, 2023. Photo Credit: PTI
Twenty-two people drowned when a tourist boat capsized at Purapuzha estuary in Kerala’s Malappuram district on Sunday. The death toll is likely to rise as many passengers are missing. Many of the victims were women and children. Most of them were from families from neighboring places. The tragedy occurred at Ottampuram Thuvalathiram between Tanur and Parappanangadi at around 7 pm.
Eyewitnesses said that there were about 50 people in the boat with a capacity of 25 people. Many passengers were trapped under the boat and darkness hampered rescue.
The condition of many of the rescued passengers is critical. They were taken to hospitals in Tanur, Tirur, Parappanangadi, Tirurangadi, Kottakkal, Manjeri and Kozhikode. According to Tanur, a boat named Shinkara, owned by Pattarkath, had flouted the rules.
Due to heavy rush of tourists at Ottupuram beach near Tanur, it conducted a service late in the evening. Kerala Health Minister Veena George has issued emergency instructions to medical colleges and government hospitals in Malappuram to deploy additional staff. Government doctors have been deployed in private hospitals for emergency treatment.
In view of the accident, the state government canceled all its official programs scheduled for Monday. Chief Secretary VP Joy said it also postponed the taluk-level courts to be held across the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will visit Tanur on Monday.
Tourism Minister PA Mohammad Riyas and Sports Minister V. Abdurrahiman were coordinating the rescue operation. District Disaster Management Authority Chairman and District Magistrate VR Premkumar coordinated revenue, police, health and fire and rescue departments.
Fire and Rescue Service units from Tanur and Tirur were joined by the local people in the rescue and search operation.
Mr Abdurrahiman said the death toll was likely to rise. There were nine bodies in one hospital alone, and three of them were women and five were children.
In view of the accident, the state government canceled all its official programs scheduled for Monday. Chief Secretary VP Joy said it also postponed the taluk-level courts to be held across the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will visit Tanur on Monday. Tourism Minister PA Mohammad Riyas and Sports Minister V. Abdurrahiman were coordinating the rescue operation. District Disaster Management Authority Chairman and District Magistrate VR Premkumar coordinated revenue, police, health and fire and rescue departments. Fire and Rescue Service units from Tanur and Tirur were joined by the local people in the rescue and search operation. Mr Abdurrahiman said the death toll was likely to rise. There were nine bodies in one hospital alone, and three of them were women and five were children.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the death of people in the accident. The central government announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the victims.