Kerala: 20 killed as houseboat capsizes in Malappuram

cMalappuram: Twenty people, including women and children, were killed when a houseboat with more than 30 passengers on board capsized and sank near the Thoovaltheeram beach in the Tanur area of Kerala’s Malappuram district on Sunday, the state government said.

Sports Minister V Abdurahiman said 20 deaths were confirmed on the basis of information from various hospitals where those pulled out from the water and inside the boat were admitted.

Four people in critical condition have been admitted to a Kottakkal hospital here, Abdurahiman said.

Of the 20 bodies, 15 have been identified, the minister added.

“The boat is being hauled ashore and more bodies are expected to be recovered from inside,” he told PTI.

Abdurahiman said many of those who died were women and children who had come for a ride amid the ongoing school vacations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the deaths and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each victim.

“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 (Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund) would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased,” Modi was quoted as saying in a tweet by the Prime Minister’s Office.