A tourist boat capsized on September 30 in Thekkady. 42 passengers drowned (nearly half of them are children) and lost their lives.
Some disturbing reports on this tragedy available are:
- The double decker boat ‘Jalakanyaka’ is operated by Kerala Tourist Development Corporation (KTDC).
- The boat capsized at a depth of 40 to 50 feet in Periyar Lake at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thekkady around 1730 hrs IST.
- The Indian Navy diving team from the Southern Naval Command reached the Thekkady boat accident site early morning on October 01 and commenced rescue operations at first light.
- Reasons reported for the accident
- boat was over crowded than the rated capacity.
- passengers suddenly moved to one side of the boat to watch some wildlife and the boat capsized due to that.
- not the fault of passengers, the boat was listing from the time of departure and capsized while turning.
- other reports on the boat
- none of the passengers were wearing life jackets.
- boat is not certified for use as per Canals and Ferry Act.
- the boat is not provided with any wireless set or any other communication facility to send SOS in case of an emergency.
- bad weather hampered search and rescue operations.
- Timings for boat cruises on the Periyar Lake: 0700, 0930, 1130, 1400, 1600 hrs.
- A judicial probe is being set up by Kerala government to investigate the accident.
View some video clips and photographs:
- 42 drown in Kerala boat mishap
- Boat capsizes in Thekkady
- photographs from RateVin.
View a slideshow from The Hindu: India’s watery graves and read more from The Hindu.
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