Malappuram (Kerala) [India], May 7 (ANI): At least Twenty two people were killed after a tourist boat capsized off the Tanur coast in Kerala district on Sunday. The incident happened near Tanur in Malappuram, Kerala. Several vehicles reached the spot to carry out the rescue operation.
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday visited the Taluk Hospital, Tirurangadi in Malappuram district where survivors of the boat capsize incident near the Tanur coast a day ago were admitted.
The Kerala government has also ordered a judicial probe into the incident. The chief minister announced Rs 10 lakh compensation to the kin of victims and said the government will bear the treatment expense of the injured people.
Twenty-two people, including a police officer, were killed after an overloaded double-decker tourist boat capsized at Parappanangadi on Sunday (May 7). Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan earlier today said that 22 people have died so far in boat capsize incident. The minister informed that a search operation by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and rescue teams is underway.
“37 people have been identified. 22 people died. 10 people have been identified in different hospitals. Five people were confirmed to have swum in. A total of 37 people were identified,” said the State minister. “The exact number of people who travelled on the boat could not be recorded. Let there be no more,” he said. “However, all searches are ongoing. NDRF, fire and rescue and scuba team are conducting the searches. The Navy’s team has also come forward. The Coast Guard arrived yesterday. Only other help will be received from them. A second team of NDRF will also arrive here,” the minister said.
Malappuram District Collector, VR Prem Kumar told ANI that rescue operations are in full swing. “Rescue operations are in full swing. We are in constant touch with the hospital authorities. The district administration has alerted all the departments since the incident happened. We are grateful to the local fishermen who volunteered in this search operation,” said the district collector.
He said that Navy personnel have also reached the spot to assist in the rescue operations. Officials informed that a 21-member National Disaster Response Relief (NDRF) team and the fire force started a rescue operation early on Monday, adding, “A police officer was also among the dead”. Post-mortem procedures of those who died have been completed and the bodies have been handed over to their relatives.
Post-mortem was conducted at Thirurangadi, Perunthalmanna Hospitals and Mancheri Medical College. Post-mortems were also conducted in private hospitals, officials said.
Chief Minister Vijayan had condoled the loss of lives in the boat capsize incident and ordered the effective coordination of rescue operations. “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the Tanur boat accident in Malappuram. Have directed the District administration to effectively coordinate rescue operations, which are being overseen by Cabinet Ministers. Heartfelt condolences to the grieving families & friends” Vijayan said in a tweet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Malappuram boat capsize incident in Kerala and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.
The Malappuram Superintendent of Police (SP) said. “Pained by the loss of lives due to the boat mishap in Malappuram, Kerala. Condolences to the bereaved families. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased: PM @narendramodi,” said a tweet from th Prime Minister’s office on Sunday night.
A Naval helicopter with aircrew participated in the rescue operation on Monday in the wake of the Tanur boat tragedy in which 22 people have lost their lives, said Southern Naval Command on Monday.
In addition, three Indian Navy diving teams comprising 15 divers along with all necessary diving sets, gear and equipment have been mobilised from Kochi. An initial aerial survey of the site of the incident was undertaken. Contact has been established with NDRF and the local diving team undertaking a search in the area.
The team reached the site of the incident by afternoon to render further assistance in local diving operations. Close coordination is being maintained with the disaster management and state authorities to augment the search operations.
Coast Guard Disaster Relief Team from Beypore station also joined the rescue operations along with NDRF, Fire and Rescue Team, and the local populace in providing emergency first-aid to the casualties. The team continuously monitored the situation and continued to provide support to Civil Authorities.
The Officials from ICG Station Beypore met District Administration Officials for coordinating further operations. ICG has also deployed Indian Coast Guard Ship C-144 off Tanur and an ICG Chetak is kept on standby for meeting further requirements, said the Press release of the Southern Naval Command. (ANI)
