By TCN Staff Reporter,
Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu): It was another tsunami for the people of Periapattinam village when at least13 Muslims, mostly women and children, were killed in a tragic incident of boat capsizing in the sea near Vaala Theevu Island in Ramanathapuram district on Sunday morning.
The incident happened with the family of Kuthus Alimsha, an Indian born Australian citizen who came to his native village Periapattinam, a Muslim dominated coastal village in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu.
Two girls, who survived the boat accident, being given treatment at the government hospital in Ramanathapuram. [Photo: L. Balachandar]
As soon as the news of the incident reached the village, a wave of shock and sadness prevailed among the villagers. The incident has reminded them terrible incident of tsunami that occurred on the same day (Sunday 26 Dec.) in 2004 and took thousands lives.
On Sunday they planned to go on picnic to Vaala Island and ventured into sea on two boats. According to report of The Hindu daily, one boat was carrying 13 men, two goats, cooking materials, vegetables and other materials, another one was carrying around 40 women and children.
While they were on the way, the boat which was carrying women and children capsized and before the men who were on the other boat could do anything to rescue them, many of them drowned.
However, some of them jumped into the sea to rescue the victims. Later, a group of fishermen rushed to the area and also a team of Indian Navy and Coast Guard and Coastal Security Group launched the rescue operation.
Fishermen searching for bodies near Vaala Islad in Gulf of Mannar on Sunday. [Photo: L. Balachandar]
While 13 bodies were found and around 15 persons were rescued, the search for other missing members was going on.
Those killed in the incident were identified as S. Firthouse Banu (40), S. Fathima Farhana (35), A. Salima Beevi (48), A. Malia (42), S. Alimuthu Beevi (45), A. Abibu Nisha (38), I. Barakath (37), Jothira Shajahan (7), J. Mahubu (14), S. Muppilaka (12), A. Harsadha (15), S. Kaleel (11) and S. Abdul Vahab (14).
As per the report, officials said that before going to the island victims did not get permission or even inform the officials about the programme. They did not carry with them life jackets for emergency situation. Moreover, 40 people were travelling in a boat which had capacity of only 10 people.
On the other hand local people claimed that though forest officials banned the visit to the Vaala Theevu Island along with 21 islands of the Gulf of Mannar on ecologic norms, the ban was not enforced so far, therefore, people continued visiting the site.
[Photos by The Hindu]