15 dead after boat capsizes in Southern India

At least 15 people, most of them children, drowned after a houseboat carrying around 40 passengers capsized at Tanur area of Kerala's Malappuram.

At least 15 people, most of them children, drowned after a houseboat carrying around 40 passengers capsized at Tanur area of Kerala's Malappuram.

More people are believed to be trapped under the boat. The efforts are on to bring the capsized boat to the shore.

According to Police, the incident occurred around 7 PM. The rescue operations, with the help of fire services personnel and voluntary workers, are underway.

However, the exact cause of the accident was not known at present.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has issued a statement condoling the deaths and directed the Malappuram District Collector to carry out a coordinated emergency rescue operation.

Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman, who is coordinating the rescue operations along with Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas, told a news agency that most of the deceased were children who had come for a ride amid ongoing school vacations.