Rescue teams are looking for a person who disappeared in Lake Vembanad near Vaikom after a canoe overturned on Monday afternoon. | PHOTO CREDIT: VISHNU PRATHAP
On Monday afternoon on July 28. The incident occurred around 2 pm, while the group returned after participation in the funeral in Pothotta.
According to reports, there were about 23 people on board. Everyone except one was rescued. The missing individual has been identified as Kannan alias Sumesh and there is currently a search operation. The accounts of eyewitnesses suggested that Sumesh be able to save five people, but reportedly exhausted and could not swim to safety.
The rescuing was immediately admitted to the hospital in Vaikom for observation and treatment.
The ship rolled near the coast. Passengers, mostly the inhabitants of Aroor and Panavally, returned from a funeral held in Thuruthel near a Chemb. The cause of the accident has not yet been found.
As part of the search operation, a rescue ship from the State Water Transport Department was pushed into operation. Despite the efforts of more ships, Sumesh was traced. The ALAPPUZHA and Kottayam district authorities coordinate efforts and the Navy may be called, if the situation requires, the officials said.
Published – 28th July 2025 20:56
