Lagatar24 Desk
Malappuram, May 8: The boat capsize incident at the Tanur coast in Kerala’s Malappuram a day ago has claimed the lives of 22 people so far, according to K Rajan, the state’s minister of revenue.
Malappuram district was the site of the boat capsize.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and rescue personnel are conducting a search operation, the minister said.
“The Chief Minister will arrive around 9.30 am at Thiroorangadi in Malappuram district of Kerala. The CM himself had given direct instructions. 37 people have been identified. 22 people died. 10 people have been identified in different hospitals. Five people were confirmed to have swum in. A total of 37 people were identified,” said K Rajan.
“The exact number of people who travelled on the boat could not be recorded. Let there be no more,” he said.
“However, all searches are ongoing. NDRF, fire and rescue and scuba team are conducting the searches. The Navy’s team has also come forward. The Coast Guard arrived yesterday. Only other help will be received from them. A second team of NDRF will also arrive here,” the Kerala minister added.
Regional Fire Range Officer Shiju KK said, “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”.
Following the event, Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George called an urgent meeting of the State Health Department at midnight and gave the officials instructions to guarantee better care for the injured and a quicker post-mortem procedure.
On Sunday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his condolences for the deaths caused by the boat capsize disaster and he directed that rescue efforts be carefully coordinated.
“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” Vijayan said in a tweet.
Expressing sorrow over the deaths caused by the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for each of the deceased’s next of kin.
“Pained by the loss of lives due to the boat mishap in Malappuram, Kerala. Condolences to the bereaved families. An ex-gratia of Rs two lakh from PMNRF would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased,” said a tweet from the Prime Minister’s office on Sunday night.
