Eight killed as boat sinks after collision with fishing craft off Kochi

Kochi: Eight persons were killed when a boat carrying around 30 passengers capsized and sank in the harbour mouth off Fort Kochi after colliding with a fishing craft on Wednesday, police said.

Around 20 passengers have been rescued so far by personnel of Coast Guard, Navy and Marine police with the assistance of local fishermen, they said.

Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, coordinating the rescue operations, told that eight passengers have lost their lives in the accident.

Intense rescue operations are underway and the exact number of passengers on board the ill-fated passenger boat was yet to be ascertained, police said.

The passenger vessel was on its way from Vypin to Fort Kochi when it collided with the country fishing boat at the harbour mouth at around 1.45 pm. The rescued passengers have been taken to various hospitals, police said.

A Navy spokesman said a Naval divers team and Chetak helicopter have been pressed into the rescue operations. Meanwhile, a report from Thiruvananthapuram said Chief Minister Ommen Chandy has left the state capital for Kochi and the first priority for the government was the rescue operation.

The Chief Minister has left for Kochi and rescue operation is progressing. Matters related to probe into the mishap would be taken up later, State Transport Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, who is also on his way here, told reporters.

"We will decide later on other matters. First priority for the government is the rescue operation," he said.

The ill-fated boat 'Varsha' was conducting service for the Kochi Corporation, officials said.