Chennai: Chief minister J. Jayalalithaa has announced a solatium of Rs 1 lakh to the family members of all those who died in the boat capsize incident that took place off Bay Island in the Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar on Sunday evening, a release said.
Senior revenue officials of the government rushed to Port Blair later in the day to coordinate medical aid and relief operations for the rescued tourists.
Of the 45 tourists who had gone on a cruise in ferry, 33 passengers belonged to a tour party from Kancheepuram district, the release said.
The government has also arranged for airlifting to Chennai all the passengers from TN who are in a critical condition. “The bodies of the deceased would also be brought to Chennai and then taken to Kancheepuram at state expense,” it said.
According to Kancheepuram district officials, a group of tourists from Pooram area in Kancheepuram had gone on a tour organised by Pooja Travels on January 23 from their home town. Tension prevailed at PSK Street where most of the travellers were based.
Collector Bhaskaran met the relatives of the victims and updated them on the mishap and the efforts taken to bring back the passengers. At least 10 persons from the district are suspected to have died so far.
The government has also opened helpline 1070 for relatives of the tourist group to contact for more details regarding the victims.
