Eight people have been killed in a boat capsize off Fort Kochi. The boat was moving towards Vypin from Fort Kochi carrying 35 passengers.
10 passengers have been rushed to the hospital. 17 have reportedly been rescued.
Police and fire departments have launched a search operation for the missing passengers.
“More than 40 passengers were there in the boat. Fishing boat was hitting the passenger boat directly, which split into two. There wasn’t any life jackets inside the boat,” one of the passenger Ralph Clement told Asianet News
Three of the eight passengers, believed have died include Zainaba from Vypin Azheekan area, Volga from Fort Kochi and Sudheer from Mattancherry.
Local residents allege that officials were not active in rescue operations after the boat split into two.
Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has sought the Indian Navy’s assistance in the rescue operation.
(Photos: IB Times)