Pulicat Lake Boat Accident

22 killed in Pulicat lake near Chennai as boat capsizes

A boat carrying nearly 25 persons capsized in Pulicat lake on Sunday afternoon. Sources said the boat had members of a family from Gummidipoondi, who had come to Pulicat to visit relatives. Initial reports from fisherfolk at around 5.30 p.m. said over 10 persons were missing and a few were feared drowned. Search and rescue operations are on. Four fire tenders were rushed there, according to sources in the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services.

The body of a boy recovered from the Pulicat lake by villagers nearby and police personnel on Sunday.

Twenty two persons were on Sunday killed after the boat in which they went on a pleasure trip capsized in Pulicat Lake, about 60 km from Chennai, police said.

About 25 persons were in the boat, they said, adding some of them had been rescued.

Initial reports said the victims hailed from different places in and around Chennai and the boat was reportedly operated by local fishermen.

Some of the bodies had been recovered by rescue teams, police said.

Rescue officials carry a dead body after a boat carrying tourists capsized in Pulicat Lake

No vests

The boat was not equipped with life vests. The boat driver Ansari (19) and his wife Nasirin Begam, who until recently worked in the hotel in Gummidipoondi, are also feared dead. Ansari's uncle Babu Masthan said: “No one should ever be allowed to take tourists into the sea again. Should this happen to us just a day before the tsunami anniversary?”

Following the accident, two Coast Guard ships were diverted to aid in rescue operations.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Sunday announced an ex gratia of Rs. 1 lakh each to the families of the 22 victims.

The sum will be provided from the Chief Minister's Public Relief Fund.

Ms. Jayalalithaa instructed Dairy Development Minister V. Moorthy and Environment Minister B. V. Ramanaa to rush to the spot and oversee relief work, an official press note said. Governor K. Rosaiah expressed condolences to the bereaved families.