| |
2010-03-23 12:02:00 - Vehicle Accident - India EDIS CODE: VI-20100323-25432-IND
Date & Time: 2010-03-23 12:02:00 [UTC]
Area: India, State of Kerala, Meenachil River, Thazhathangadi Number of death person(s): 20
Number of Injured person(s): 15
Damage level: Heavy (Level 3)
Not confirmed information! Description: Around 20 persons are feared dead when a private bus plunged into Meenachil River at Thazhathangadi near Kottayam on Tuesday. Local residents rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations within minutes of the accident. Five deaths have been confirmed and about 15 persons have been admitted to hospitals with injuries. The bus was on its way to Kottayam from Cherthala. Those who escaped said the bus had around 40 passengers — most of whom were students on their way to see the “pakal pooram” in Thirunakkara. At least 20 persons escaped from the bus immediately after the accident. The bus which had hit an electric post before falling into the river is fully submerged. Efforts are on to lift it out of the river. Initial efforts to lift the bus failed as the iron rope of the crane snapped. The Southern Naval Command in Kochi has sent two helicopters — a Seaking and a Chetak — with divers on board to aid in the search and rescue operations. Lieutenant Commander A.S. Patankar is leading the team. Another team of six divers with adequate equipment have gone to the accident site by road. Transport Minister Jose Thettayil, Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy and Public Works Minister P.J. Joseph have left Thiruvananthapuram for the accident spot. Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy is also expected to reach the spot.
|  | | | |
This blog offers a compilation of recent news and world events given by RSOE-Emergency and Disaster Information Service, Reuters News Agency, BBC News , CNN International and Al Jezeera News
