A double-decker boat carrying more than 40 passengers capsized off a beach in India's Kerala state on Sunday night, killing at least 22 people.
The incident took place at around 7pm near Thooval Theeram beach in the Tanur area of Malappuram.
The boat was carrying more than 40 people, more than double its capacity, police said.
The dead included schoolchildren on holiday. Media reports said passengers were not wearing life jackets.
The owner could not be found by police, who filed a manslaughter case against him.
“The boat capsized due to the [weight] of people. It was overburdened, although we don't know the exact number of the people on the boat yet. That will be investigated,” Vimal C, a police officer at Malappuram police station, told The National.
“For now, the rescue is under way. We have deployed navy, National Disaster Response Force and coastguard teams for the rescue and search of those missing.”
Benny VV, a senior police officer, told The National that at least 10 people were being treated at government-run hospitals, while five survived after they swam to safety as the boat capsized.
“We don't have much hope to find more bodies but the search operation is on until we are sure,” Mr Benny said.
Of the 22, 11 belonged to the same family. They were four men, three women and four children, including a 10-month-old baby.
The state government has announced a judicial probe into the incident and announced a compensation of one million rupees ($12,200) to the families of the deceased.
State Health Minister Veena George said post mortem examinations were under way.
Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who will visit the area on Monday, tweeted his condolences to the victims' families and urged the district's authorities to oversee the rescue.
The boat takes tourists on a four-hour journey along the estuary. It is allowed to operate until 5pm, but boats were operating beyond stipulated hours to accommodate higher demand at the weekend, local media reported.
When the vessel capsized, fishermen and other peoples on the riverbank leapt into the water to rescue the passengers.
Prakash Vellayil, a fisherman, told local newspaper Mathrubhumi that the ferry was a modified fishing boat that was full beyond its capacity.
Witness Lubina, who escaped the accident after refusing to board the “overcrowded” boat, said that only children sitting on the upper deck were wearing life jackets.
Monday has been declared a day of official mourning, PTI reported, quoting the government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “pained by the loss of lives” and pledged compensation for the victims' families in a tweet.
Boating accidents are common in India, where many vessels are overcrowded and have inadequate safety equipment.
In September 2020, 12 people died when a sightseeing boat capsized on the swollen Godavari River in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.
In May 2018, 30 people died when a boat overturned in the same region.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
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- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
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- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
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LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
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F1 The Movie
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Director: Joseph Kosinski
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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Bournemouth 2
Wilson 70', Ibe 74'
Arsenal 1
Bellerin 52'
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
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