Ptamansamrat at 14:05, 7 May 2026

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{{Short description|Capsizing of a passenger boat in Kerala, India}}
{{Redirect|Jalakanyaka|the 1971 film|Jalakanyaka (film)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox event
| title = Thekkady boat tragedy
| image = Boat trajedy.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = The ''Jalakanyaka'', listing, is in a red square
| date = {{start date|2009|09|30|df=y}}
| time =
| place = Lake [[Thekkady]], [[Periyar National Park]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]
| coordinates = 
| also known as =
| type = Boat sinking
| cause =
| participants =
| outcome = Sinking of the ''Jalakanyaka''
| reported deaths = 45
| reported injuries =
| burial =
| inquiries =
| inquest =
| coroner =
| suspects =
| accused =
| convicted =
| charges =
| verdict =
| convictions =
| litigation =
| blank_label = Passengers & Crew
| blank_data = 82
}}

The '''Thekkady boat disaster''' occurred on 30 September 2009, when the double-decker passenger boat ''Jalakanyaka'' sank in Lake [[Thekkady]], [[Periyar National Park]], [[Kerala]], India. When the boat capsized, 45 tourists died,<ref name="PTI"/> most of them from [[Delhi]] and [[Kolkata]].<ref name="sify"/> A total of 82 people were on the boat.<ref name=zhindu/> The boat's helmsman, Victor Samuel, and another crew member were arrested on 5 October.<ref name=zarrest/> It is the deadliest maritime accident reported in Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web |title=കൊച്ചി നടുങ്ങി; ഇത് അഞ്ചാമത്തെ ജലദുരന്തം {{!}} Kerala {{!}} Deshabhimani {{!}} Thursday Aug 27, 2015 |url=https://www.deshabhimani.com/amp/news/kerala/latest-news/495188 |access-date=2023-05-08 |website=www.deshabhimani.com}}</ref>

== Details ==

The fibreglass<ref name=zpio/> double-decker sight-seeing boat ''Jala Kanyaka'', operated by the [[Kerala Tourism Development Corporation]] (KTDC), made daily sight-seeing trips in the [[Mullaperiyar]] reservoir in [[Idukki]].<ref name=zhindu/> The boat was first commissioned on 17 August 2009.<ref name=zpio/>

The boat set off from a landing at 4:30 p.m. and capsized {{convert|7|km|mi}} away, at approximately 5 p.m. on 30 September 2009. It capsized in one of the deepest parts of the reservoir, in an area around {{convert|100|ft|m}} deep. Most of the victims were women.<ref name=zhindu/>

Several survivors swam to safety.<ref name=zsafe/><ref name=times>{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/34-drown-as-boat-capsizes-in-Kerala/articleshow/5074258.cms | work=The Times Of India | title=34 drown as boat capsizes in Kerala | date=1 October 2009 | accessdate=9 October 2009 | archive-date=4 October 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004155000/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/34-drown-as-boat-capsizes-in-Kerala/articleshow/5074258.cms | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Rescue ==

The surrounding area has wild animals, including elephants, and is within the {{convert|777|km2|sqmi}} [[Periyar Tiger Reserve]].<ref name=zhindu/>

By 8 p.m, a rescue team recovered 26 bodies, and two survivors.<ref name=zhindu/> Initial rescue operations were completed by local government officials and the public before the state and federal government crews arrived. Also the crew of Malayalam movie ''[[Body Guard (2010 film)|Body Guard]]'' was shooting nearby.{{cn|date=September 2025}} Their lights and crew members aided the authorities in rescue operations. None of the initial rescue boats had divers, however a team of divers from the [[Indian Navy]] was assigned to help the rescue operation 5–6 hours later. A team of 40-50 navy divers were rushed to the spot from the Southern Naval Command at [[Kochi, India|Kochi]]. On 3 October, the search for bodies was still ongoing.{{cn|date=September 2025}}

Four bodies were noted as missing until 3 October, when three were recovered by Navy divers: four-and-a-half-year-old Aishwarya and her mother Senthilkumari, from Bangalore, and Apoorva, 16, from Hyderabad.<ref name=zdecc/> A Navy helicopter spotted the body of Aishwarya first, and her mother was found nearby. The final missing passenger, Apoorva's 19-year-old brother Abhilash, was discovered on the evening of 3 October by an underwater camera, but bad weather delayed its retrieval until the following day.<ref name=z45/> This bought the final death-toll to 45.<ref name=z45/> Their parents, scientists at the Defence Research Organisation, survived the accident.<ref name=zarrest/> There were 20 people rescued in total.<ref name=zhindu/>

Both State and National government acted, asking defence establishments in [[Kochi, India|Kochi]] and [[Thiruvananthapuram]] to launch rescue attempts. Navy divers from Kochi were forced to travel overland after their helicopter, sent to locate the victims, was turned back by bad weather.<ref name=zhindu/>

[[Kodiyeri Balakrishnan]], the Home and Tourism Minister of Kerala, and [[N. K. Premachandran]], the minister for Water Resources, arrived in Thekkady late at night,<ref name=zhindu/> and they coordinated rescue operations according to press reports.

== Investigations ==

Originally, KTDC claimed that there were 74 passengers, but police findings showed 87 passengers; some confusion in the numbers was caused by some survivors leaving the scene without reporting to the police.<ref name=zpio/>

The fatalities consist mostly of women, mainly from outside Kerala.<ref name=zhindu/> The dead included people from [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Delhi]] and [[West Bengal]]; more than 50 belonged to a group from [[Karnataka]], who had come in a tourist bus to [[Thekkady]] as part of a tour to Kerala.<ref name=zhindu/>

Preliminary reports stated that the accident occurred when a large number of passengers rushed to one side of the boat to see a herd of bison which emerged from the forest.<ref name=zhindu/><ref name=times/> The sudden movement caused the boat to capsize, and all of the passengers were thrown into the water.<ref name=zhindu/>

Later, this initial report was challenged when some of the rescued tourists reported structural problems with the boat, saying that it was tilted throughout the trip, for about 30 minutes. Then at one point the boat took a sharp turn, overturned and capsized.

The boat was owned and operated by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation.<ref name="TOI"/> The government has been blamed for not privatizing these boats, for not enforcing safety precautions and for not having efficient [[Emergency management#Recovery|disaster recovery]] plans.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}} The crew of the boat, driver and helper escaped the incident. The passengers were not provided a [[Personal flotation device|life jacket]] before the trip, and there were no lifeguards.<ref name=zsafe/><ref name="TOI" />

''The Pioneer'' newspaper of Delhi reported "widespread complaints" against both Kerala Government and KTDC "trying to absolve themselves of the guilt by putting the entire blame on the boat employees."<ref name=zpio/> The Crime Branch's probe report blamed the incident on a combination of driver negligence and overloading.<ref name=zpio/>

== Aftermath ==

On 2 October, it was announced that the government would pay the expenses for sending the bodies of the deceased to their home states and that 5 [[lakhs]] [[Rupees|Rs.]] would be provided to the next kin of each of the dead in the accident.<ref name="TOI" /> The [[Government of Kerala]] ordered a judicial inquiry into the boat [[Tragedy (event)|tragedy]].

Questioned at the scene on Monday, 5 October, helmsman Victor Samuel (alias Betty) attributed the incident to the sudden movement of tourists, but fellow crew member Aneesh (also written Anish) pointed out the overloading of the upper deck.<ref name=zarrest/><ref name=zpio/><ref name=zar2/> Preliminary inquiries revealed that the boat was overloaded, with 12 more than its capacity of 75.<ref name=zpio/> The Crime Branch determined that when Samuel "suddenly turned the boat to the right, after the tourists sighted the wild animals", it had contributed to the incident.<ref name=zar2/> [[Superintendent of Police (India)|Superintendent of Police]] (Crime Branch) PA Wilson said that "the unwarranted act of driver Victor Samuel [...] swerving the boat while at high speed caused the tragedy".<ref name=zpio/> The Crime Branch did not make a final report, pending further questioning of survivors, but Samuel and Aneesh were arrested, to be taken before the Magistrate Court at Peerumade.<ref name=zar2/> Samuel has been charged with "causing death unintentionally."<ref name=zar2/>

Also under consideration was the possibility raised by reports that the boat listed to one side due to a structural imbalance.<ref name=zpio/> The police stated that the Jalakanyaka, which was recovered and brought to the dock in Thekkady,<ref name=zar2/> "had inherent problems".<ref name=zthai/> A careful forensic examination was scheduled to begin.<ref name=zpio/>

== Criticism ==

[[Oommen Chandy]], Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, criticized the ongoing Crime Branch probe, alleging an attempt to make the steersman a scapegoat.<ref name=zind/> "an attempt is on to put the blame and responsibility of the accident on the steersman,"<ref name=zind/> Chandy said.

He urged Chairman Cherian Philip to consider quitting his post.<ref name=zind/> "Instead of supervising the rescue operations at Thekkady, Philip chose to be part of' Human Chain',<ref name=zind/> a political function of [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI-M]]," he said.<ref name=zind/>

The ''Decclan Herald'' said that the accident was "a result of sheer negligence",<ref name=zneg/> and the Express Buzz said it was "faulty from the start",<ref name=zbuzz/> with excess passengers on unsecured plastic chairs.<ref name=zbuzz/>

Other criticisms include (1) lack of disaster recovery planning and procedures for all departments; and (2) refusal to privatize and insure tourist boats with proper government oversight.

== Subsequent safety concerns==
At a meeting on 5 October, state Tourism Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan announced several new safety measures: safety checks for tourist boats, mandatory life jackets for those under 15 and for those over 15 who do not supply a valid reason, [[lifeguards]] and rescue boats in proportion to the number of passengers.<ref name=zthai/>

==See also ==
* [[2002 Kumarakom boat disaster]]
* [[2007 Thattekkad boat disaster]]
* [[2023 Tanur boat disaster]]

== References ==
{{Wikinews|More bodies recovered from capsized boat in Kerala, India}}
{{Reflist
|refs=
<ref name=zhindu>
{{Cite news
|title=32 drown as boat topples in Thekkady
|page=Front Page
|date=1 October 2009
|accessdate=2009-10-05
|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/01/stories/2009100158340100.htm
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004004100/http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/01/stories/2009100158340100.htm
|archivedate=4 October 2009
|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>
<ref name="PTI">{{cite news|url=http://www.ptinews.com/news/313266_Thekkady-boat-mishap--toll-reaches-45|title=Thekkady boat mishap: toll reaches 45|date=5 Oct 2009|publisher=Press Trust of India|accessdate=2009-10-05| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091010030150/http://www.ptinews.com/news/313266_Thekkady-boat-mishap--toll-reaches-45| archivedate= 10 October 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
<ref name="sify">{{cite news|url=http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?a=jkdu4beiegf&title=Three_more_bodies_recovered_from_Thekkady_lake_toll_44|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117041042/http://www.sify.com/news/fullstory.php?a=jkdu4beiegf&title=Three_more_bodies_recovered_from_Thekkady_lake_toll_44|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 November 2015|title=Three more bodies recovered from Thekkady lake, toll 44|date=3 Oct 2009|website=[[Sify]]|accessdate=2009-10-05}}</ref>
<ref name=zpio>
{{cite news
| title = Thekkady tragedy '12 passengers over capacity on boat'
|publisher=The Pioneer
|date=5 October 2009
|author=VR Jayaraj
| accessdate = 2009-10-05
| url = http://www.dailypioneer.com/206904/Thekkady-tragedy-%E2%80%9812-passengers-over-capacity-on-boat%E2%80%99.html
| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091008004852/http://www.dailypioneer.com/206904/Thekkady-tragedy-%E2%80%9812-passengers-over-capacity-on-boat%E2%80%99.html| archivedate= 8 October 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref>
<ref name=zdecc>
{{Cite web
| title = Bodies of Aishwarya,mother found
|date=3 October 2009
| accessdate = 2009-10-05
| url = http://www.deccanherald.com/content/28595/bodies-aishwaryamother-found.html
|location=Deccan Herald
| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091006073535/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/28595/bodies-aishwaryamother-found.html| archivedate= 6 October 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
<ref name=z45>{{Cite web
| title = Thekkady tragedy: toll mounts to 45
|newspaper=The Hindu
|date = 4 October 2009
| accessdate = 2009-10-05
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article28738.ece
| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091005180138/http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article28738.ece| archivedate= 5 October 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
<ref name="TOI">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/10-Delhiites-among-41-dead-in-avoidable-boat-tragedy/articleshow/5079263.cms|title=10 Delhiites among 41 dead in avoidable boat tragedy|date=2 October 2009|newspaper=Times of India|accessdate=2009-10-05|archive-date=5 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005034220/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/10-Delhiites-among-41-dead-in-avoidable-boat-tragedy/articleshow/5079263.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name=zarrest>{{Cite web
| title = Boat capsize; steerman, crew member arrested
| date = 5 October 2009
| access-date = 2009-10-05
| url = http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=64912&sectionid=4&secid=0&Itemid=1&issueid=
| location = Press Trust of India
| archive-date = 25 September 2022
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220925160551/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/south/story/kerala-boat-capsize-steerman-crew-member-arrested-57910-2009-10-05
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>
<ref name=zsafe>{{Cite web
|title=No safety measures in ill fated boat, eyewitnesses
|url=http://in.news.yahoo.com/20/20090930/1416/tnl-no-safety-measures-in-ill-fated-boat.html
|date = 6 October 2009
|publisher = Press Trust of India
| accessdate = 2009-10-05
}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

<ref name=zar2>{{Cite web
| title = Thekkady boat capsize; steerman, crew member arrested
|newspaper=The Hindu
|date=5 October 2009
| accessdate = 2009-10-05
| url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/article29040.ece
| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091008054640/http://beta.thehindu.com/news/states/article29040.ece| archivedate= 8 October 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
<ref name=zthai>{{cite news
|title=All tourist boats to undergo safety check in Kerala
|date=5 October 2009
|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/all-tourist-boats-to-undergo-safety-check-in-kerala_100256316.html
|accessdate=2009-10-05
|archive-date=6 October 2012
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006211320/http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/all-tourist-boats-to-undergo-safety-check-in-kerala_100256316.html
|url-status=live
}}</ref>
<ref name=zind>{{Cite web
| title = Opposition leader flays probe into boat tragedy
|publisher=Indopia/PTI
|date=5 October 2009
| accessdate = 2009-10-05
| url = http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/680503/National/1/20/1
| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091011043856/http://www.indopia.in/India-usa-uk-news/latest-news/680503/National/1/20/1| archivedate= 11 October 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref>
<ref name=zneg>
{{cite news
|title=Safety last
|date=6 October 2009
|newspaper=Deccan Herald
|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/28878/safety-last.html
|accessdate=2009-10-05
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091011073944/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/28878/safety-last.html
|archivedate=11 October 2009
|url-status=live
}}
</ref>
<ref name=zbuzz>{{cite news
|newspaper=Express Buzz
|date=5 October 2009
|title=Jalakanyaka was faulty from the start
|url=http://newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article135002.ece
|accessdate=2009-10-05
|archive-date=4 March 2016
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103045/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/article135002.ece
|url-status=dead
}}</ref>
}}

== External links ==
Documentary about Thekkady Boat Tragedy Done in Marine Biztv :-
* https://web.archive.org/web/20151208175235/http://www.video.marinebiztv.com/videos.php?video=NDkzMA
{{commons category|Thekkady boat tragedy}}

{{coords|9|34|32.7|N|77|10|45.3|E|display=title}}
{{Disasters in India in 2009}}
{{2009 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thekkady Boat Disaster}}
[[Category:2000s in Kerala|2009]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks in lakes]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in India]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2009]]
[[Category:2009 disasters in India]]
[[Category:September 2009 in India]]
[[Category:Disasters in Kerala]]
[[Category:Idukki district]]

2009 Thekkady boat disaster - Revision history

Ptamansamrat at 14:05, 7 May 2026