While Samuel had claimed that the boat turned turtle when tourists flocked to one side, Aneesh has contradicted him. Aneesh said that the boat overturned when it was negotiating a turn to the left and that not many passengers had crowded to one side.
It was also found that there was not enough staff in the boat, especially a shrank who used to guide the boat. Kerala Tourism Development Corporation has suspended both Samuel and Aneesh from service.
The State Tourism department has convened a high-level meeting of different departments to take stock of facilities available at various tourist centres.
Ban on boat services
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has barred the state government from operating boats in the Periyar Tiger Reserve till further notice.
The decision is based on the recommendations of the National Tiger Conservation Authority which has laid out several conditions for removing the ban.
The state government had temporarily suspended boating in Thekkady lake following Wednesday’s tragedy.
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