Click to play videoNew Delhi: Over 40 tourists died after a Kerala tourism department boat capsized in one of India's most popular tourist destinations. Thekkady, one of India's biggest tourism hubs, now resounds with cries of mourning.
The Thekkady tragedy has now raised uncomfortable questions for the Kerala state Government. Could the disaster have been averted?
The boat that sank was a new one. Considering 40 dead, the tragedy is one of the worst tragedies in Kerala in recent times. But could the tragedy have been avoided?
Survivors had scary tales to narrate of the tragedy, the aftermath and the rescue operations that were not well orchestrated. "There was no back up, no medical help. We were waiting for half an hour for somebody to turn the boat back. That half an hour was crucial," said a survivor.
A sailor, who witnessed the mishap, said the Kerala tourism department boat was in bad shape.
Another eyewitness, Peter said, "The boat was not safe. The boat was tilting when it left the harbour. As it went further into the water, the tilt became worse."
People who live near the lake say the new fiberglass boat was unsuited for this job and that it should never have been made with two decks.
"Wooden boats are heavier and more stable. Fiberglass boats are lighter and narrow keeled. This one should never had an upper deck," said a resident.
A CNN-IBN citizen journalist who has been on the cruise before says the lifebuoys on board were few and decrepit.
"I saw the pathetic condition of the lifebuoys. The number of lifebuoys if you can see in the pictures and the number of people who must have been on board at that time, it is woefully inadequate," he said.
Life jackets were inside the engine room down below, unopened and as yet in their factory wrappers. An embarrassed Kerala government has now ordered a judicial probe. But God's own country now faces a situation where its image as a tourism friendly state is shattered.
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