Kerala boat tragedy toll reaches 22, owner on the run

Thiruvananthapuram, May 8: The death toll in the Malappuram boat capsize incident in Kerala rose to 22 on Monday, and rescue operation was continuing as one more person was reported missing.
It has now come to light that the ill-fated boat lacked basic security. The boat owner, identified as Nasser, is on the run and the police have registered a case.

The local Councillor at Tanur pointed out that earlier on a few occasions it had been pointed out that basic security protocols need to be maintained.

Even though only 40 tickets were issued, for children no tickets were given.

According to officials, 10 people are presently admitted in various hospitals, which includes children, while around 12 people were rescued after the boat capsized.

“It has now been identified that one  person is missing and the rescue people are searching for the missing person,” said an official.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan will be reaching the accident site located very close to the landing area of the boat at Tanur.

The state government has declared a day of mourning and all official engagements listed for the day have been cancelled.

Meanwhile, locals point out that the boat -- Atlantic -- was overcrowded and the authorities responsible for keeping a close watch on the safety and security of operations failed to do their job.

“The license of the boat was recently cancelled, but soon it was restored. Even the basic security protocols were not observed. Authorities, despite being told about it, failed to do a clean job,” said angry locals.

State Revenue Minister K. Rajan, who arrived at the accident spot on Monday morning said CM Vijayan will also arrive shortly.

“22 deaths have occurred, 10 people are in hospitals, five swam ashore. The boat was a private one and hence the exact number of passengers is not clear. Seven teams are doing their search in the waters. The government is with the affected  families,” said Rajan.