15 tourists from Kancheepuram die in boat mishap
Boat, capsized off Andaman islands, had capacity to carry only 25 people, but 46 were aboard.
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-01-27 08:35 GMT
Chennai: In a shocking incident, 15 people from Kancheepuram district are among those feared dead in a private tourist boat capsize incident off Andaman islands on Sunday. A senior government official said the ‘Aqua Marine’ boat carrying 45 passengers capsized while she was commuting from Ross Islands to North Bay.
Andaman and Nicobar administration’s deputy resident commissioner in Chennai, G. Victor Raj told Deccan Chronicle that of the 28 people declared dead, 15 are said to be from Kancheepuram district. “We are waiting for the actual list of tourists who travelled by that boat. But orally we were informed that 15 are from Kancheepuram,” he said.
A statement from Office of Deputy Commandant, South Andaman said, a group of tourists from Kancheepuram who were staying at Palm Groves Resort, Prothrapur and another small group from Mumbai were on the boat that capsized.
Raj added the tragedy took place due to overcrowding in the ferry. The incident took place around 4.30 pm on Sunday. The Indian Navy and local administration were involved in the process of rescuing stranded passengers. “About 13 people have been rescued and are undergoing treatment at G. B. Pant hospital,” he added.
The local administration announced the following help line numbers: 03192 – 240127 / 230178 / 238881. The hospital help line can be contacted at numbers 03192 – 230629 / 0-99332-74092.