The boat was carrying more than 35 students to a school at Arikode in Malappuram. The reason for the tragedy is not known immediately. Villagers have swung into action soon after the tragedy. According to preliminary reports, 6 boys and two girl students perished in the tragedy.
The boat was going towards Oorganetri village when it sank in the middle of the river, eye-witnesses said.The bodies were recovered by local people who plunged into the river for rescue and search operations.
While most of the passengers swam to safety, some were rescued by the local people. Most of the students were studying in the 11th and 12th standard, the police said.
This is the second boat mishap in the state in over a month. Forty-five tourists drowned in the Thekkady lake when a boat capsized on September 30.
Personnel from the nearby Naval Academy at Ezhimala were headed for the accident site. Areekode, a small town located on the banks of Chaliyar River in Eranad Taluk of Malappuram, was plunged into grief as most of the dead hailed from the area.
Joida, who was on the ill-fated ferry, said there were about 40 students in the boat. The boat tilted a bit when the students stood to avoid getting wet. But the boat capsized all on a sudden. She said she was lucky enough to swim to safety.
The bus route from Areekode to Moorkannur is seven kilometers and therefore the students use the ferry, reducing the distance to two kilometers.
Given the short distance between the river banks, the boat was being hauled from one side to the other with a low-hanging rope, strung across the river. This is the usual practice in the northern districts because it is easier to haul the boat with the rope than by using an oar.
The boat capsized in the middle of the river, witnesses said. Kerala is yet to recover from the shock of another boat tragedy in Thekkady lake recently. As many as 48 tourists lost their lives in the accident.
Source: India Syndicate and agenices
