At least 22 people died in the sinking of a boat carrying tourists on Sunday evening in the southern state of Kerala, local police told AFP.
“We have recovered 22 bodies, 15 female and 7 male. There are about six people in the hospital. Rescue operations are ongoing,” a policeman from the station in Tanur, a coastal town in the district, told AFP. of Malappuram where the tragedy occurred.
According to him, nearly 30 passengers were on board.
Dozens of people worked overnight around and inside the partially submerged wreck. While some stabilized the ship with ropes, others watched through the portholes, looking for survivors.
“Saddened by the loss of life following the boat accident in Malappuram, Kerala. (My) condolences to the bereaved families,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, pledging compensation to the next of kin of each victim.
Most of the victims are children who were on school holidays, said V. Abdurahiman, Kerala state sports minister, who helped coordinate the rescue efforts.
Four people were taken to hospital in critical condition, Abdurahiman told the PTI news agency.
Survivors testified to the local press, observing that many passengers were not wearing life jackets.
The reason for the vessel’s capsizing remains unknown at this time.
05/08/2023 06:25:43 – New Delhi (AFP) – © 2023 AFP
