At least nine tourists died after the boat they were travelling in capsized off Manapad in Tamil Nadu on Sunday, ANI reported. The vessel was reportedly carrying 20 people and rescue operations are underway.
The news agency said rescue personnel along with local fishermen saved 11 people from drowning in the sea near Tuticorin. “Three families from Tiruchendur had booked the boat,” District Collector M Ravi Kumar told IANS.
“This boat was not meant for joy ride in the first place. We are investigating,” District Superintendent of Police Aswin Kotnis said.
The tourists had allegedly hired a fibre fishing boat for a pleasure ride, a practice that violates safety rules, The Times of India reported. The passengers got entangled with the fishing net on board after the vessel capsized. None of the tourists were wearing life jackets, NDTV reported.
The boat’s owner is reportedly missing.
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