Officials confirmed on Monday that the death toll from the boat tragedy near Thoovaltheeram beach in the Tanur area of Malappuram district, Kerala, has risen to 22. Sports Minister V Abdurahiman stated that 15 of the deceased have been identified, with 14 being from the same family. Of the 11 people rescued, seven are in critical condition.
The post-mortem process has commenced to expedite the release of the bodies to the families, according to Kerala Health Minister Veena George. Hospitals in Tirur, Thirurangadi, Perinthalmanna, and Mancheri Medical College are conducting post-mortems, with staff from Thrissur and Kozhikode districts aiding in the process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the victims’ family members. Abdurahiman, who is overseeing the rescue operations with Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas, stated that more victims may be trapped under the boat and must be rescued. The cause of the boat capsizing is unknown, and the police will investigate the incident.