Eight passengers drown as ferry boat capsizes after collision with fishing boat in Kochi
KOCHI: Eight people - four women, two men and two children - were feared to have drowned at Fort Kochi when a Vypeen-Fort Kochi ferry boat carrying over 30 passengers collided with a fishing boat on Wednesday afternoon. The ferry was on its way from Vypeen to Fort Kochi.
Twenty-two passengers were taken to Fort Kochi Primary Health Centre, two to Gautom Hospital and one to General Hospital. The condition of three of them is
said to be serious.
The Indian Coast Guard and the Marine Enforcement personnel have been engaged for rescue operation as many are reported missing.
The mishap occurred near the Shipping channel of the port, close to Kamalakkadavu. The ferry hit the fishing trawler before capsizing. The tragedy struck the passengers two days ahead of the national festival of Onam that falls on August 28.
Forty-five tourists were killed when a boat carrying tourists sank in Periyar-Thekkady lake in Septmber, 2009. In July 2002, 29 passengers drowned when a ferry sank in Vembanad backwaters near Kumarakom.
Water tourism is a major attraction in Kerala, criss-crossed by rivers and backwaters.
Twenty-two passengers were taken to Fort Kochi Primary Health Centre, two to Gautom Hospital and one to General Hospital. The condition of three of them is
said to be serious.
