Shawdesh desk:

At least 22 people, most of them children, drowned after a houseboat carrying around 40 passengers capsized at the Tanur area of Kerala’s Malappuram of India on Sunday evening.

According to the district administration, the death toll now stands at 22. As per Minister V Abdurahiman, 7 people are in critical condition.

More people are believed to be trapped under the boat. The efforts are on to bring the capsized boat to the shore.

The rescue operations, with the help of fire services personnel and voluntary workers, are underway.

According to Police, the incident occurred around 7 PM local time. But the exact cause of the accident was not known at present.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia for Rs 2 lakh from national relief fund for families of the victims.