At least 22 people, including seven children, died when a double-decker boat overturned and sank near Tuvalthiram beach in Kerala’s Malappuram district on Sunday evening. The exact number of passengers on the boat is still unknown, but 40 were reported with tickets, while many others were without one. The boat didn’t have a safety certificate either. A case has been registered against the boat’s owner for culpable homicide. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indian Coast Guard personnel are engaged in the rescue work, and underwater cameras are being used to track down those still missing.
Leaders across the political spectrum expressed their shock and sadness at the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths and announced a compensation of ₹ 2 lahks to the families of each victim. Congress leader and former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi wished for the speedy recovery of those injured and appealed to Congress workers to assist the authorities in rescue operations. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that he will visit the site on Monday and declared it a day of mourning with all government events postponed as a mark of respect to the victims.
Police, fire, and health officials, along with locals from Tanur, were engaged in the rescue work, and the cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained. The incident is a stark reminder of the need to prioritize safety measures in the country’s water transport systems. Unfortunately, incidents like this are not uncommon in India, and authorities must take necessary steps to ensure that such accidents do not occur in the future. The safety of passengers must be the top priority for boat operators, and they should be held accountable for any lapses in safety measures.
The tragedy has left the entire nation mourning, and it’s heart-wrenching to think about the families who have lost their loved ones. It’s essential to ensure that the victims’ families receive adequate support during these difficult times, and the government’s compensation is a welcome step in that direction. However, it’s equally crucial to prevent such incidents from happening in the future, and the authorities must take stringent action against those responsible for the tragedy.
