Kerala boat tragedy toll climbs to 40

Thekkady, (Kerala) Oct 1 (ANI): Rescuers on have been able to fish out five more bodies from the Thekkady Lake, taking the death toll from Wednesday's boat tragedy to 40.

According to Kerala Government sources the operations were continuing even on Thursday evening to fish out bodies of the remaining missing persons.

Indian Navy's Kochi based Southern Naval Command has pressed the service of expert divers and helicopters for salvage and rescue operations.

A 40 members Navy diving team led by Commander Deepak Bhatia has so far recovered five bodies from the Periyar reservoir.

The Naval team equipped with specialist equipment comprises of marine medical specialists in addition to the Divers.

Kochi based Naval Air Station INS Garuda has launched three air sorties since Thursday morning in addition to the sortie by the Advanced Light helicopter (ALH) on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, State Finance Minister Thomas Issac, who is supervising the rescue operations, said the State Government would bear all the costs of transportation and decide upon the aid and compensation at the earliest.

"Definitely the government of Kerala would bear all costs of transportation and everything and besides that, once we are in ouch with the Chief Minister we will be announcing appropriate aid," Isaac said. (ANI)