: Saturday’s houseboat tragedy is the latest blow to Kerala Tourism’s safety record. The worst was in 2009, when 32 tourists drowned after a KTDC-operated vessel capsized in Thekkady.
While overloading was cited as a factor, there were allegations of flaws in the boat’s make, since its stability was in doubt.
In 2007, 15 students and three teachers drowned after a rickety vessel that was passed off as a tourist vessel overturned in Thattekkad. Though children crowding to one side was mentioned as a reason, there were doubts about the boat’s build quality and how it got the licence from the then Chief Inspector of Boats.
In 2002, 29 commuters died after a State Water Transport Department ferry sank in Kumarakom, due to overcrowding.
The worst was in 2009, when 32 tourists drowned after a KTDC-operated vessel capsized in Thekkady.
