Death toll in Kerala boat tragedy rises to 15

Thiruvananthapuram, May 8 (IANS) At least 15 people, including women and children, were drowned as a boat carrying tourists capsized off Tanur town in Kerala's Malappuram district on Sunday evening.

The boat, according to local people, was carrying around 40-50 people and police sources told IANS that the number of deaths could increase as more people are feared to be trapped. 

At least three women and four children were among the dead.

The two-storey boat toppled at Thooval Theeram Ottupuram beach and six people were rescued from the site.

Talking to IANS, local fisherman Ummer Palakode said: “The boat was carrying people more than the capacity and this could have led to the boat toppling and people dying.”

The bodies have been shifted to Malappuram district hospital.

The rescue workers were trying to find out if people were trapped inside the boat.

Talking to media, IUML leader and former MLA Abdulrahman Randathani said: “The exact number of the people who have lost their lives in the accident is not clear. We are here and trying to do the rescue operations.”

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will be leaving for Tanur on Monday morning and has deputed Ministers Abdul Rahman and Mohammed Riyaz to coordinate with various departments for rescue and relief operations

-- IANS
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