A passenger boat overturned in the Kole wetland of Kerala’s Thrissur district on Tuesday, leaving two people feared missing.
According to local officials, the vessel was carrying several passengers when it capsized near the Kunnamkulam area of the wetland. Rescue teams, including the district administration, the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services and local fishermen, were dispatched promptly. The teams recovered three bodies from the water, while two individuals could not be located despite extensive search efforts.
The district collector confirmed that the search operation continued through the night, employing divers and inflatable boats to navigate the shallow marshland. “We are doing everything possible to locate the missing persons. Families have been informed and are being supported,” the official said.
The incident has prompted calls for stricter safety oversight of small passenger vessels operating in the region’s backwaters, which are popular for both local commuting and tourism. The Kole wetland, a seasonal floodplain known for its rice cultivation, can become treacherous during the monsoon season when water levels rise rapidly.
Analysis: The capsizing underscores longstanding concerns about maritime safety standards in Kerala’s inland waterways. Past investigations have highlighted inadequate vessel maintenance, overloaded boats and insufficient crew training as recurring risk factors. In the wake of the tragedy, civil‑society groups have urged the state transport department to enforce stricter compliance checks and to improve emergency response capabilities in remote wetland areas.
The two missing passengers have not been identified publicly, and authorities have not released further details pending notification of families.
Sources
– “Two feared missing after boat capsizes in Thrissur’s Kole wetland,” The Hindu, https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/two-feared-missing-after-boat-capsizes-in-thrissurs-kole-wetland/article71180156.ece
Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
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