India: At Least 22 Dead After Tourist Boat Capsizes

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Image copyright: Reuters

The Facts

  • At least 22 people, including children, lost their lives when a double-decker tourist boat capsized in an estuary in Malappuram, in the southern Indian state of Kerala, on Sunday night.

  • The boat reportedly capsized due to overcrowding — allegedly carrying about 50 tourists, or double its capacity.

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The Spin

Narrative A

Though Kerala is known for its beaches and backwaters and is a popular tourist destination for Indians and foreigners alike, its boats are often overcrowded, poorly maintained, and lack safety equipment. Since the boat service in Malappuram had started only a few months ago as part of a state government initiative, officials must be held accountable for lax regulations and implementation of safety rules.

New York Times

Narrative B

Apart from the state government, the onus of the disaster lies on the boat owner as the boat allegedly did not have a safety certificate, did not have enough life jackets, and was not permitted to operate that late in the day. If the ferry owners continue to blatantly break security and safety rules, such tragedies will, unfortunately, continue to reoccur.

NDTV.com