(Image source from: Twitter.com/ANI)

At least 22 were killed in a double-decker boat after it was overturned and sank near a beach in Kerala’s Malappuram district on Sunday evening. The incident took place around 7 Pm near Tuvalthitam Beach.

The case was registered on the boar owner Naseer, who is a resident of Tanur. The Kerala government has announced the Rs 10Lakhs as compensation to the families of the victims.

The boat reportedly does not have a safety certificate and doesn’t have enough life jackets on the boat. As per the witness, the boat was overcrowded. The exact number of the passengers are not known and 40 passengers were with tickets, while a few other were travelling without. Police, fire and health officials along with Tanur locals are engaged in rescue operations. Because of the lack of light rescue forces faced problems to go ahead with rescue operations.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has visited the site today. He announced Monday as the day of mourning and postponed all government events as a mark of respect to the victims. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh was announced by Prime Ministers National Relief Fund(PMNRF) for the kin of the deceased family. While congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted his condolence message and asked the congress workers to assist in rescue operations.