Webdesk: According to V. Abdurahiman, Kerala’s minister for fisheries and harbour development, a boat capsized in Malappuram on Sunday, killing at least 21 people.
The boat trapped in the muck and rescue efforts were underway, raising the dead toll.
“Pained by the loss of lives due to the boat mishap in Malappuram, Kerala,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The private boat entered the seas after dusk without permission, according to local authorities. The operators ignored the limits due to a large number of visitors on Sunday evening.
Moreover, The boat capsized carrying 35-40 passengers on its final journey of the day. The state government declared a day of mourning on Monday and cancelled all official events in response. According to his office, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would personally visit Tanur on Monday morning.
Rafeeque, a survivor, told the reporters the incident happened 400 metres from the shore at the Poorapuzha River estuary. Disturbingly, the boat did not provide safety jackets for passengers, and rescue efforts delayed due to the lack of neighbouring boats.
Due to closed doors, those on the lower deck confined after the boat capsized.
Locals and fisherman initially helped rescuers. The district administration, with police, health, and fire and rescue aid, managed the operation.
Poor illumination and narrow roads slowed the delivery of rescued people to local hospitals. A Thrissur-based National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) squad assisted rescue attempts in Malappuram as darkness fell.
KPA Majeed, an IUML politician who arrived at the scene, acknowledged that they had complained the absence of safety precautions to the authorities.
