Thekkady Boat Tragedy 38 Killed Photos, Thekkady Boat Wreck Pictures News Thekkady Boat Accident Images

Jalakanyaka overturns, 38 killed

Thekkady Boat Tragedy

Kerala witnesses one of the worst boat tragedies in its history, after KTDC’s new double-decker boat ‘Jalakanyaka’ overturned at Manakkavala in Thekkady, yesterday evening at around 1730 hrs IST. 38 deaths are confirmed till now and the toll may increase. Victims include foreigners and Indians.

Thekkady Boat Tragedy

According to initial reports, the boat was on its regular site seeing trip at 1600 hrs IST. After traveling for more than 80 minutes, the people on board moved towards one side of the boat to see elephants and then it had overturned.

Thekkady Boat Tragedy

According to a tourist witness, Pankaj, around 76 people, including foreigners, were on board in Jalakanyaka. He also said that other boats around them had then moved towards the Jalakanyaka and tried to rescue the people on board. He added that people on the upper deck were mostly rescued and those who have died were traveling on the lower deck. Most of the victims were trapped beneath the seats in the boat and were not able to save themselves, even if they knew to swim.

Thekkady Boat Accident

Rescued victims were taken to the nearby hospitals in Periyaar and Kumily.

The boat ‘Jalakanyaka’ was launched on Chingam 1st (August 17th). Primary reports say that the boat was technically perfect and had reported no damages. It had a holding capacity of 75 persons, 27 persons in the upper deck and 48 in the lower deck. However, it had only two guides on it, to help this many tourists. KTDC chairman, Cherian Philip, said to Asianet News team, that only 74 persons were on board, as the rules with regard to the holding capacity were strictly followed by the KTDC, after the Thattekad boat tragedy.

Thekkady Boat Accident

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister AK Antony asked the southern Naval Command chief to do whatever is possible by human beings, during its rescue operation. Though the navy had sent a 40 member team to the site the current rescue operations are being carried by the local people and KTDC staffs. The rescue operations are hampered due to darkness.

Thekkady Boat Accident

The navy team is traveling to the site through road and it would take almost four hours for them to reach there. They would reach there only 2100 hrs IST. Hence possibilities point out they would only be able to recover the bodies of the victims. Three navy helicopters and divers are also on the way to the site.

The state government had ordered an enquiry into the incident.

Check Latest News, Photos : Thekkady boat tragedy: Death toll goes up to 39