Tour boat capsizing leaves over 22 dead in Kerala, India

Authorities in India have confirmed that at least 22 people were killed after an overloaded tour boat capsized in the waters of the country’s southern state of Kerala on Sunday, May 7.

The unnamed double-decker boat, which authorities said is a converted fishing vessel, was carrying approximately 40 people when the incident occurred.

A passenger said the boat developed a heavy list shortly after it departed on its voyage on Sunday, forcing many of the occupants to jump into the water and swim to shore.

Emergency response officials called off the search and rescue/recovery effort on Monday, May 8, by which time the bodies of 22 victims have been found. The deceased also included small children.

Officials believe some of the missing passengers are still trapped on board the partially submerged vessel.

Homicide charges have since been filed against the boat’s owners, who remain at large.