Thekkady (Kerala), Sep 30 (Inditop.com) At least 20 people drowned when a boat carrying more than 75 tourists sank in a lake in the Periyar wildlife sanctuary of Kerala Wednesday evening, police said. Rescue efforts were on but officials indicated the toll could go up.
The boat of the state-run Kerala Tourism Development Corporation was carrying at least 76 tourists, mostly from Karnataka and some from abroad. It capsized at around 5.15 p.m.
The boat ‘Jala Kanyaka’ was new and was pressed into service in the popular wildlife spot and tourist destination only a month ago, officials said.
Police and forest officials rushed to the site and launched rescue operations.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony said he had asked Vice Admiral K.N. Sushil, flag officer commanding-in-chief of the southern Naval Command, to help in the rescue operations.
State Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said arrangements were being made for lighting at the accident site, even as rescue operations were becoming difficult following nightfall.
