Vietnam boat tragedy: Bodies of Malayali couple brought home, to be laid to rest tomorrow

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The bodies of Victory Group owner A V Thomas alias Jomon (57) of Kottarakkara Chanthamukku Kripa Nagar Aaviyot House and his wife Loveni Thomas (56), who died after the boat capsized near Phu Quoc Island in southern Vietnam, were brought home. The bodies reached Thiruvananthapuram International Airport at around 9 am on Tuesday aboard a special Air India flight.

Ministers P C Vishnunath, C P John and Kodikunnil Suresh MP received the bodies. NORKA representatives, relatives and friends from Kottarakkara had arrived at the airport. The ministers paid their last respects on behalf of the state government. The bodies will be taken to Kottarakkara in ambulances arranged by NORKA.

The funeral will be held at the family tomb in Marthoma Valiyapalli, Kottarakkara at 4 pm tomorrow. The body was brought to Mumbai airport yesterday with the intervention of the central government and the Indian embassy. The chief minister's office had the other day informed that NORKA would coordinate the arrangements to take the body to Kottarakkara from the Thiruvananthapuram Airport.

15 Indians had died in the boat accident. 15 people who survived the accident have returned to India. Presently only one is undergoing treatment. The captain of the boat was arrested the other day in connection with the accident. The arrest was following the findings of violation of law from the side of the captain. Police said negligence of the boat’s crew also contributed to the accident.