Investigations Launched into Boat Accident Near Nagadeepa

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources has launched an investigation into the boat accident that occurred in the seas off Nagadeepa with 10 passengers on board.

The Ministry said Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar has instructed officials to provide a detailed report on the cause of the boat accident.

The Minister has also instructed officials to investigate whether sufficient life jackets had been provided to those travelling on the boat and whether proper safety measures had been followed, and to provide the relevant information.

Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar further instructed officials to strictly adhere to maritime safety procedures to ensure the safety of passengers and to take necessary measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.

The boat, which was travelling from the Kurikattuwan Jetty to Delft, met with the accident near Nagadeepa yesterday afternoon.

All 10 people who were on board the vessel were rescued by the Navy and subsequently admitted to hospital.

The group included two operators and eight other individuals.