The death toll from the sinking of a ferry in southern India rises to 22

8 May. (EUROPE PRESS) –

At least 22 people have died, including seven children, due to the capsizing of the tourist ferry that sank on Sunday in the Indian state of Kerala, in the south of the country, according to a new balance released Monday by the authorities, who are investigating possible irregularities related to this incident.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has ordered the opening of an investigation and offered compensation to the victims and their families. Vijayan, who has visited the injured at a hospital, has declared Monday a day of mourning, reports ‘The Times of India’.

The authorities suspect that more people were traveling on board than allowed and the boat, sunk in the Malappuram district, would also lack the necessary permits. A local leader has acknowledged that it is not yet known how many people were on board, although he has pointed out that “everyone in the area says that it was very loaded.”