At least 22 people have been reported dead after a tourist boat capsized near the Tanur coast in Kerala's Malappuram district on Sunday, 7 May.
"So far, we have recovered 21 dead bodies. We don't know the exact number of people on the boat, so we are continuing the search to find out whether there are more victims trapped in the mud or not," Regional Fire Range Officer Shiju KK was quoted as saying by news agency ANI on Sunday night.
The death toll has now risen to 22, as per the official.
On Monday, 8 May, the police took boat owner Nasar into custody from Kozhikode. As per the police, there were at least 40 people on the double-decker boat, and overcrowding may have led to the mishap, reported PTI.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on Monday, promised a judicial probe into the incident, while announcing an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased. He also said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala Police would investigate the incident.
The CM added that the medical expenses for the treatment of the injured would be borne by the state.
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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan arrives at a hospital to meet victims of the boat accident, at Tirurangadi in Malappuram district, on Monday, 8 May.
(Photo: PTI)
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Families of the victims of the boat accident mourn their kin.
(Photo: PTI)
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The tourist boat that capsized on Sunday night in Malappuram.
(Photo: PTI)
Several rescue personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Coast Guard are at the spot, and the search for missing persons is still underway.
Late on Sunday night, Kerala Health Minister Veena George called an emergency meeting of the health department and instructed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured persons.
The minister also said that the postmortem of the deceased should begin at 6 am on Monday.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the incident and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.
"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," a tweet from the Prime Minister's Office stated on Sunday night.
Earlier, CM Vijayan also offered his sympathies over the incident and said that he had issued orders for the effective coordination of rescue efforts.
"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," he said on Twitter.
(With inputs from news agencies ANI, PTI.)
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