“Tragic Boat Accident in Parapanangadi: Heroic Rescue Effort by Kunummal Saithalavi”

# Ajmal Munniyur

Parapanangadi: As soon as his wife Seenath called him on the phone that the boat we were in is sinking, Kunummal Saithalavi rushed to Tuvaltheeram beach along with the locals. By the time we reach there, we see people screaming and jumping into the water.

Saithalavi, who started the rescue operation with the locals, was shaken. Because Saithalavi’s first sight was bringing his daughter’s lifeless body to shore. The later views were unbearable. If you’re frozen, just head out. People are rushing forward with the lifeless bodies of 11 people along with his wife, other children and relatives. There is a one and a half year old baby in it…

Saithalavi lives with her siblings in a hilly house at Putthan Katapuram in Parappanangady. Her sister and children had come from her husband’s house for the festive holiday. There were other relatives. They all went to Thuwaltheera before the sister returned to her husband’s house. Saithalavi brought them to the shore and returned. Although he was instructed not to board the boat, he finally boarded at the insistence of the children.

Meanwhile Saithalavi called there for information. His wife Seenath informed that he had boarded the boat. After some talking, before hanging up, Seenath informed us that something had happened and that our boat was sinking. Saithalavi immediately called his friends and rushed to the scene.

The dead included the wives and children of Saithalavi’s brothers, Jabir and Siraj, besides his wife and children. 11 of the 15 passengers died. Four people are in hospital. The sister and her baby and brother Jabir’s two children survived.

Saithalavi said not to board the boat because he realized that it was dangerous to carry so many people. The children insisted. Many times the locals questioned the service even after 6 o’clock. Everyone ignored it. We are all fishermen. The warning was given knowing its danger. No such boat will operate there again. Our children died. “The authorities must answer,” said Ashraf, a relative.

Saithalavi, his siblings, their children and their wives all lived in a small house made of sheets and tiles. The floor was laid in front of the old house to build another house, but the number was not received from the municipality. Ashraf also alleged that Parappanangady Municipal Corporation did not give the house number even though Saithalavi and his brothers were behind it for a long time.

The bodies of all 11 people were placed on that floor. Saithalavi, Umm, siblings and two children are the only ones left in that big family.

All the dead babies in Saithalavi’s family were able to swim. The rescue workers said that they could not escape because they were trapped inside the boat. ‘The boat was pulled to the shore and the people were taken out by breaking the glass. Among the three taken first, one was Saithalavi’s daughter. “Most of the survivors are those who jumped out,” the rescue workers said.