Kerala: 30 Dead as Boat Capsizes near Lake in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary


Latest: at 10.30am, IST (Oct 1, 2009)

Kerala boat tragedy toll touches 37

Thekkady (Kerala), Oct 1 (IANS) The toll in the Thekkady boat tragedy touched 37 as five more bodies were recovered Thursday morning, officials said.

The tragedy occurred Wednesday at 5.15 p.m. when the boat carrying 76 tourists capsized in a lake in the Periyar wildlife sanctuary in central Kerala.

A 24 member diving team of the Indian Navy reached the accident site Thursday morning and were searching for more bodies.

P.T. Thomas, Congress Lok Sabha member representing the area, said the exact number of people who have died is yet to be ascertained as some foreign tourists reportedly swam to safety.

"Those rescued are being treated at various hospitals and since the search is going on, we will have to wait," said Thomas.

Meanwhile Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan told reporters at his residence in state capital Thiruvananthapuram that the state government would bear all expenses for transporting the dead bodies as well as the expenses incurred by the rescued tourists.

"We have decided to hold a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of the Kerala High Court. We have also decided to sanction an ex-gratia of Rs.5 lakh each to the families of the deceased," said Achuthanandan.

Achuthanandan will arrive in Thiruvalla -- where the bodies of the victims are being brought for embalming -- to pay his respects. The bodies will then be sent home. The state government has booked air tickets from Kochi to send the survivors as well as the bodies home.

Kerala: 30 Dead as Boat Capsizes near Lake in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Thekkady (Kerala), Sep 30 (IANS): At least 30 tourists drowned when a boat capsized in a lake in the Periyar wildlife sanctuary of Kerala Wednesday evening, police said. With rescue work continuing, the toll was feared to go up.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan expressed deep anguish and ordered an inquiry into the accident.

The boat of the state-run Kerala Tourism Development Corporation was carrying at least 76 tourists, mostly from Karnataka and some from abroad. It capsized at around 5.15 p.m. in the artificial lake near Thekkady, about 300 km from state capital Thiruvananthapuram.

Defence Minister A.K. Antony said he had asked Vice Admiral K.N. Sushil, flag officer commanding-in-chief of the Southern Naval Command, to help in the rescue operations.

State Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said arrangements were being made for lighting at the accident site, even as rescue operations were becoming difficult following nightfall.

Subhash, a forest official who took part in the rescue operations, said the double-decker boat was upside down when he reached the site.

"I broke open the glass and rescued four people. Our team was able to rescue close to 20 people," he said.

Joy, a witness, said: "There were a few other boats which were ahead of the ill-fated boat and seeing the tragedy, these boats immediately came to the spot. People onboard these tried their best to rescue more and more people. Several of those rescued were seen lying down on the bank of the lake waiting for the speed boats to arrive to take them to hospital."

The scene at the Periyar hospital, where 20 bodies were brought in, was heart-rending.

A middle-aged women was wailing and beating her chest after she learnt that two of her children were no more. A grieving man was hugging his wife's body, not knowing what has happened.

An unspecified number of rescued people were being brought to various hospitals in Idukki district.

Koshy John, a tourist guide who knows the lake well, said water is more than 50 metres deep at the accident site.

"The longer it takes for the victims to be pulled out, the dimmer are the chances of their survival. And there is no light in that area... bringing lights and generators will also take time," said John.

The boat, 'Jala Kanyaka', was new and pressed into service in the popular wildlife spot and tourist destination only a month ago, officials said.

  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • Lavina S. Pinto, Mangalore/Dubai

    Fri, Oct 02 2009

    We had been to Neyyar dam boat riding without life jackets and any safety norms. Kerala Govt thinks that God saves all the tourists who visit these places

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ronald fernandes, Bantwal/Dubai

    Thu, Oct 01 2009

    My dear Indians all are responsible in our country after the accident only. So we ourselves to take care of our life with prayers and helping each other.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rodney Rodrigues, Katapadi/Dubai

    Thu, Oct 01 2009

    This is very serious matter. Safety Jackets & Life Rafts are must for all boats and government should seriously work on this to implement on all boats.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • ibrahim, udupi,kuwait

    Thu, Oct 01 2009

    Unless you dont know good swimming pls dont go for boating,specially from kerala.they are not bothered about safety of human being,just earning money from tourists.just rupees 2oo can save a life by providing least saftey jackets. Please dont go for such places where safety jackets are not provided. really shocking news.may god rest their soul in peace

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jaimini P.B., Manipal, Sharjah

    Thu, Oct 01 2009

    No safety equipments.Over Crowded Boat. No checking. Understanding between Boat owner/staff and police. No surprise that 40 precious lives lost.It will happen in future too untill strict rules are implemented.Very sorry that it happened in GODS OWN COUNTRY.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • kiran, karkala

    Thu, Oct 01 2009

    Things will not change here. This will be in news for another 2-3 days then go through the same routine when another accident happens. This could easily happen to one of us as in India it's only 'Chaltha hai' attitude that works. My heart goes out for the victims and their family.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Deepak, Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 01 2009

    Not even single person is telling that safety measures should have been taken by boat person and concern dept should havd looked into dis,noboday is blaming Dept,why???

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • henry MISQUITH, MANGALORE/BAHRAIN

    Thu, Oct 01 2009

    Indeed a shocking news..these boats are moving without enough life jackets and safety, and Kerala state tourism corporation is responsible for this tragedy. May Almighty God bless their soul.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • kiran, mangalore

    Thu, Oct 01 2009

    Now no one is blaming toursit dept of kerala ..why ? bcause its not a BJP govt.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Antony Crasta, Mangalore/Sydney Australia

    Thu, Oct 01 2009

    I fully agree with the comments above of Praveen and John Anthony. Further, I would like to state that the callous attitude of the Boat Management and the Crew of this new boat, and also their inexperience, would have largely contributed to this great tragedy!!

    The authorities should immediately investigate into this serious accident and should put in place safety measures and laws so that such tragic incidents do not happen in future. As Ajith of Saudi Arabia says, if safety and rescue plan is not provided, it`s better to avoid such trips altogether, and then only the Operators will learn a lesson!

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Gilby., puttur

    Thu, Oct 01 2009

    It is not the First case happened. But we have not changed & intoroduced required safety meassures yet."WE WILL NOT CHANGE" That's INDIA.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • john anthony, mangalore / doha

    Thu, Oct 01 2009

    We were there just a week ago, and the first thing we asked the boat operators has the location has any survival kits, rafts or life vests. To our dismay there was none. There is one waiting to happen in Kanyakumari where rickety overloaded boats ferry between mainland and the Vivekananda Memorial. I agree life in India comes cheap, and the Governments are just spectators. John

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • praveen, mangalore

    Thu, Oct 01 2009

    Tragedies are waitng to happen wherever there is boating in india. there is total flouting of safety norms. passengers are not given life jackets each though rules say so. the other day in pilikula when i asked for a jacket i was rudely told that if you re so scared you can carry one from home.

    I rememeber when I went to south east asia it was compulsory to wear them in any public boat. In the end our country' s image as a safe destination for tourists is getting hit repeatedly.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Edith, M'lore/Canada

    Thu, Oct 01 2009

    Shocking news! We were there in the month of Feb. this year. Enjoyed our one night stay in the house boat.(Grace Tours) Can't believe this has happened there. We pray for each and everyone. God bless.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Ajith, Saudi arabia

    Wed, Sep 30 2009

    boat accidents are a routine at kerala during past some years.Thattekkad,Malampuzha,Thekkadi,,,goverment also private tour operators not ensuring safe touring in such locations .Safety and rescue plan is not planned in a calamity,Better avoid such trips..boating..tc

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • A K nambiyar, Doha

    Wed, Sep 30 2009

    One of the most exciting places in Kerala. We were part of inaugural trip a month back. this news pains me a lot.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • asha d'cunha, dubai

    Wed, Sep 30 2009

    shocking..shocking! cannot beleive this..we had been there just last week, and enjoyed our holidays like anything! Just can't beleive this has happened there. Great holiday place Periyar. My entire family is sad after reading this..we just pray for the souls of deceased people.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Kerala: 30 Dead as Boat Capsizes near Lake in Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.