Twenty-two killed in Kerala boat tragedy

Malappuram: At least 22 persons including seven children were killed and ten injured, when a tourist boat overturned at Ottumpuram-Thooval Theerum beach, in the estuary of Koorapuzha river, near Tanur, on Sunday, police said.

9 persons were killed from a family of Parapangadi and all the 22 deaths were identified, police said, ten passengers were rescued by local residents led by fishermen within 10 minutes after the incident took place around 1930 hrs.

Police suspected that one more person was missing and a search operation was going on by Navy, NDRF, Fire and rescue scooby teams and local fishermen.

Police registered a non-bailable case against boat owner Nazar of Tanur, who was absconding after the incident.

Four children were seriously injured, and they have been admitted at a private hospital at Kottakkal.

Post-mortem process was held at five Government hospitals at Tanur,Thirurangadi, Manjeri, Parappanangadi.

Ministers PA Muhammed Riyas, Rajan, V Abdurahiman, Saseedharan A K, Ahamed Devarkovil and district administration were monitoring and combing the rescue operations and medical arrangements provided to the injured persons at various hospitals.