Kerala Houseboat Tragedy: Death Toll Rises To 22, CM Pinarayi Vijayan To Visit Tanur, Search Ops Underway. Top Points

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the families of the deceased and announced a Rs 2 lakh ex gratia from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

Rescue operation underway after a boat sank near Tuvalthiram beach at Tanur area of Malappuram district on Sunday

Source : PTI

New Delhi: The death toll in the boat capsize accident in Kerala's Malappuram district increased to 22 on Monday, ANI reported citing Revenue Minister K Rajan. The accident happened after a houseboat with more than 30 passengers on board capsized and sank near the Thoovaltheeram beach in the Tanur area of Malappuram district on Sunday, the state government said.

While talking to reporters, Revenue Minister K Rajan said, "Death toll rises to 22. The exact number of people who were travelling on the boat could not be confirmed. CM will reach here at around 9.30 am. Search operation is underway. NDRF, fire and Scuba diving teams are conducting the search operation. Navy's team has also come forward. Coast Guard arrived yesterday. Second team of NDRF will also reach here."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the families of the deceased and announced a Rs 2 lakh ex gratia from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

The PMO said in a tweet, "Pained by the loss of lives due to the boat mishap in Malappuram, Kerala. Condolences to the bereaved families. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased."

Here are the recent developments:

• The NDRF team has reached the spot and the search and rescue operations are still underway for other victims.
  
  
• Fire and police units, officials from the Revenue and Health departments, and local residents from Tanur and Tirur were also involved in the rescue operation, the Chief Minister's Office said in a statement.
  
  
• According to police, at least ten people have been admitted to nearby private and government hospitals, news agency PTI reported.
  
  
• Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will visit the accident site on Monday, the Chief Minister's Office said.
  
  
• Kerala Health Minister Veena George called an emergency meeting of the State Health Department at midnight and directed the officials to ensure better treatment for the injured. The minister has also given strict instructions to start the post-mortem at 6 am on Monday.
  
  
• Monday has been declared a day of official mourning and all government programmes stand postponed as a mark of respect to the victims.

• Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also condoled the loss of lives in the accident. In a tweet, he said, "Distraught by the news of a houseboat capsizing in Malappuram, Kerala. My heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones, and wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured." "I appeal to Congress workers to assist authorities in rescue operations," he said.