Nearly two dozen people have died, including children, after a tourist boat sank in southern India, according to officials.
More than 30 people were on the double-decker boat Sunday when it capsized on a waterway in the state of Kerala, according toReutersandCNN.
At least 22 people have been pronounced dead, per the outlets.
Local channel Manorama News said 11 of the victims were from the same family, Reuters reported.
Also among the dead are children who were on school vacation, per the AP.
Rescuers in a boat searching waters after tourist boat capsized.P.P. Afthab/AP Photo
Health minister Veena George said eight people remain hospitalized, while two have been discharged, per Reuters' report.
Four people were in critical condition upon admission to the hospital, according to the AP.
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Tourist boat that capsized Sunday night in Malappuram, Kerala, India.P.P. Afthab/AP Photo
Police officer Abdul Nazar said overcrowding appeared to be a factor in Sunday’s incident, the AP reported.
One individual, identified as Ibrahim, told Manorama News that he and his brother opted against boarding the boat because it appeared too full, according to Reuters.
“The operators were asking more people to join saying it was the last trip of the day,” Ibrahim claimed, according to the news agency.
Rescuers gather after pulling tourist boat to shore.P.P. Afthab/AP Photo
Rescuers pulling tourist boat ashore.P.P. Afthab/AP Photo
Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala’s chief minister, is expected to visit the site of the deadly incident on Monday, according to CNN and the AP.
source: people.com
