Kerala orders judicial probe into boat tragedy

Kochi, Feb 21 (UNI) The last rites for ten school children and two teachers were performed amidst heart breaking scenes this afternoon even as the Kerala Government ordered a judicial inquiry into yesterday's tragic boat accident in Ovungal Kadavu in the Periyar river that claimed 18 lives.

The funeral of the remaining six victims will be held tomorrow.

The bodies were kept at the Little Flower Hospital in Angamaly near here.

Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan ordered a judicial inquiry into the boat accident and also announced an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the Angamaly St Antony's School, where the bodies were kept for the public to pay their last respects, Mr Achuthanadan ordered probe to determine the circumstances leading to the tragic incident.

He said the probe would look into factors like boat safety and the timing of the picnic party to visit the Thattekkadu Bird Sanctuary by boat.

Mr Achuthanandan said the excursion was undertaken by the school authorities and teachers without giving serious thought to safety.

He also conveyed the government's condolences to the bereaved.

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