President Murmu, PM Modi express condolence over Malappuram boat tragedy

President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several other leaders have expressed condolence over the Malappuram boat accident which killed at least 20 people on Sunday.

Photo Credit: Malappuram boat tragedy: Rescue operations

Expressing her shock, the President tweeted, "The tragic loss of lives in the boat mishap at Malappuram, Kerala is extremely shocking and saddening. My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. I pray for well-being of the survivors,"

The Prime Minister said that he was pained by the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each deceased. "Pained by the loss of lives due to the boat mishap in Malappuram, Kerala. Condolences to the bereaved families. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased," he said on Twitter.

20 people, including women and children, were killed when a houseboat with more than 30 passengers on board capsized and sank near the Thoovaltheeram beach in the Tanur area of this Kerala district on Sunday, the Kerala government said.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that he directed the district authorities to effectively coordinate rescue operations, overseen by his cabinet ministers.

Four persons in critical condition have been admitted to a Kottakkal hospital, Sports Minister V Abdurahimansaid. Of the 20 bodies, 15 have been identified, he stated.

On the other hand, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has appealed to his party workers to assist the authorities in rescue operations. "Distraught by the news of a houseboat capsizing in Malappuram, Kerala. My heartfelt condolences to all those who have lost their loved ones, and wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured. I appeal to Congress workers to assist the authorities in rescue operations," he tweeted.

PK Kunhalikutty, an MLA of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) had earlier said that overcrowding is believed to have been the reason behind the vessel capsizing.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Veena George has called an emergency meeting following the accident to assess the situation, the state government said in a statement.