A search operation is underway in Thrissur’s Kole wetland after a mini boat carrying five people capsized during heavy rain on Friday evening. Two persons are feared missing, while the other three managed to swim to safety unhurt. The group had gone to feed fish in the wetland, which was reportedly leased for aquaculture, when the mishap occurred.
The Fire and Rescue Services received the alert around 7 p.m. and launched a search operation, which was called off around 10 p.m. due to inclement weather and poor visibility. The operation will resume on Saturday morning, officials said. Heavy rainfall had been reported in Thrissur throughout the day, prompting the declaration of a holiday on Saturday due to the forecast of continuing bad weather. The area of the Kole Wetland where the boat overturned is said to be considerably deep, making the search operation more challenging.
Police are still verifying whether the missing persons may have managed to escape unnoticed. According to the Nedupuzha police, only one of the three survivors is acquainted with the missing persons, and efforts are underway to gather more information from him. The Kole Wetlands, which span Thrissur and Malappuram districts, are traditionally used for paddy cultivation and aquaculture.
