Overview
- A small fibre boat carrying five people capsized in the Mallithara Kadavu area of Nedupuzha while the group was travelling to a leased paddy field to feed fish, and three occupants swam to safety.
- Rescue teams suspended search operations around 10 p.m. on Friday because of heavy rain and poor visibility and resumed at first light when a Thrissur Fire Station scuba team recovered two bodies after about an hour-long dive on Saturday morning.
- The recovered bodies were found roughly 25 metres from shore, have been handed to Nedupuzha police for post-mortem, and formal identification is pending police procedures.
- Officials and local residents said the boat's engine was reportedly not working and the vessel was being rowed manually when it was caught in bad weather, and the accident spot is known for deep, hazardous pockets and past mishaps.
- The incident has prompted a police probe and renewed local warnings about venturing into kole wetlands during the monsoon because thick slush, weeds and underwater obstacles can trap people and make swimming back to safety difficult.