Six die in Kochi boat mishap

Kochi: Six passengers of a ferry boat going from Vypeen to Fort Kochi were killed and several others injured when a modified traditional fishing craft rammed into the boat  on Wednesday.

The accident occurred when fishing vessel Besilel owned by Cochin Service collided with MB Bharath at Kamalakadavu jetty at 1.40 pm. The fishing vessel hit the port side (left side of the vessel) of MB Bharath which broke into two and sank within minutes of the collision. The 35-year-old wooden vessel was about 30 metres from the jetty which helped in reducing the casualties.

The deceased were identified as Sainaba, 70, Sindhu, 40, Joseph, 50, Sudheer, 35, Volga, 40, and Ayyappan, 60. There were unconfirmed reports of two more deaths.

Kumbalangi native Fousia and two others were suspected to be missing. The condition of six persons, including two children, at the Medical Trust Hospital, was critical. As many as 26 persons were rescued from the scene, said district medical officer N.K. Kuttappan.

There were close to 35 persons on MB Bharath when it capsized. According to Sijo of Fort Kochi, who jumped from the vessel, the speed of the fishing vessel caused the mishap. “Three of us jumped into the water. The fishing vessel rammed into one side of the boat ,” he said.