Kochi: The maiden edition of the Konothupuzha snake boat race held at South Paravur, nearly 10 kms from Trippunithura, turned tragic on Monday after one of the boats capsised leaving one of the oarsmen missing. The search for Saiju (37), a resident of Pattupurackal, is continuing late into the night as two Scuba units of the Fire and Rescue Service Department were pressed into service.
According to police, the incident happened around 5.30 pm when the country boat capsized after crossing the finishing line. “The rest of the crew members were rescued by a scuba diving team already deployed at the spot in view of the event. Saiju did not know swimming properly and his going missing was noticed only later,” police said. The regatta event was immediately stopped. Another Scuba unit was rushed from the Kothamangalam Fire Station.
“We’d taken all precautions including deployment of a Scuba team and police personnel there. The public too were warned not to venture into the water. The incident is unfortunate,” said Udyamperoor CPI Mandalam Secretary P.V. Chandrabose. The regatta was organised to observe the anniversary of cleaning up Konothupuzha river last year under an initiative taken by the CPI. The leaders decided to conduct the boat race every year to involve public participation in keeping the river body clean.
