Overloaded Tourist Boat Capsizes in India Leaving 22 Dead

At least 22 persons were killed when a crowded tourist boat sank in India’s southern state of Kerala. The death toll may grow when rescue efforts continue on Monday and the vessel is dragged from the muddy waters.

According to Abdul Nazar, junior superintendent of police for the Malappuram district, the double-decker boat capsized due to overcrowding. When the boat overturned on Sunday night, it was carrying approximately 50 people, or double its capacity.

According to the BBC, the owner of the yacht, who is reportedly missing, was charged with culpable homicide by authorities on Monday.

On Twitter, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his sympathies, saying he was “painted by the loss of lives.”

According to local media, many passengers were trapped beneath the boat, and the darkness hampered rescue efforts. Women and children on vacation were among those killed.

According to Kerala’s sports and fisheries minister, V Abdurahiman, at least four people who were rushed to the hospital are in severe condition.

It was not immediately known how many passengers had gone missing. Authorities said they were looking into the cause of the accident and if the boat had a valid permit.

Shameer, a lifeguard participating in the rescue, told the Mathrubhumi news channel that “the boat was completely upside down” when rescuers arrived. “I recovered four bodies, and none of them had life jackets on.”

According to survivors, many of the other passengers were not wearing life jackets at the time of the incident.

Ambika, a Tanur resident, told Manorama news station that when she initially spotted the boat approaching, everyone looked to be “cheering happily.”

“But suddenly, the lights went out, the boat sank, and the cheers were replaced with screams for help,” she explained.

Ms Ambika went on to say that she immediately called the police for assistance. “But we couldn’t do anything else because it was getting dark and we couldn’t reach the passengers.”

Boat accidents are common in India, where vessels are frequently overloaded, poorly maintained, and lacking in safety measures.

Unfortunately, there have been several boat accidents in India over the years, particularly in coastal and riverine areas. Here are some notable incidents:

1. May 2021 – At least 26 people died when a boat carrying over 60 passengers capsized in the Brahmaputra River in Assam.

2. September 2018 – A boat carrying tourists capsized in the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh, killing at least 21 people.

3. January 2018 – At least 32 people died when a boat capsized in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Mumbai.

4. August 2016 – A boat carrying over 40 passengers capsized in the Ganga River in Bihar, killing at least 24 people.

5. May 2014 – Over 100 people died when a ferry capsized in the Brahmaputra River in Assam.

These incidents highlight the need for better safety regulations and enforcement in the country’s waterways to prevent such accidents in the future.

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