India school trip boat capsizes

At least 18 Indian children and four teachers have died after a school trip boat accident, police have said.

Their boat capsized during a trip on the Periyar river at a wildlife park in the southern state of Kerala.

Most of the children on the trip were reported to be under the age of 11. Ten managed to swim to the shore while about 17 others were reported missing.

The children were among a group of about 40 who had taken the boat trip as part of the school outing.

Bird park

The rowing boat, one of three on which the group of children and their teachers were travelling, capsized in the Thattekad Wildlife Sanctuary, some 34 miles (55km) east of the port city of Kochi.

"A total of 22 people drowned when their wooden rowboats sank and among those killed were four teachers," local official Mohammed Haneesh said.

Although night has fallen, rescue services are continuing to searching for the missing children whose exact number is unknown.

AFP reports that Indian naval divers from the nearby naval base at Kochi were among those drafted in to help in the search efforts.

The bird sanctuary in lush tropical forests is one the of the state's most popular attractions.

---

Were you in the area? Have you seen anything? You can send us your comments using the form below:

Terms & Conditions