Thirteen individuals, including two children, sustained injuries on Saturday, March 9, at Varkala Beach, Kerala, when a large wave struck and overturned the floating bridge they were on, according to police sources cited in a PTI report.
A spokesperson from the Varkala police station confirmed that 13 individuals were injured in the incident. Additionally, the impact of the wave caused a handrail on the bridge to break, further exacerbating the situation, as reported by PTI.
The injured individuals were promptly transported to Mission Hospital and the Government Medical College for medical treatment. Fortunately, none of the injuries were deemed critical, although a 14-year-old girl remains under observation for precautionary measures.
Authorities disclosed that the floating bridge is typically closed to the public during periods of high tide, particularly during adverse weather conditions. However, in this particular instance, the bridge was open to the public at the time of the incident, leading to the unfortunate outcome.
Despite the challenging circumstances, all individuals on the bridge were wearing life jackets, facilitating their swift rescue and averting any fatalities. The incident occurred around 5 pm on Saturday, March 9, according to police reports.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols, especially in coastal areas prone to unpredictable weather conditions. The quick response and coordinated efforts of the authorities contributed to mitigating the impact of the incident and ensuring the well-being of those affected.
In a separate development earlier this month, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated CSpace, India’s first state-owned over-the-top (OTT) platform, in Thiruvananthapuram. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Minister underscored the significance of this state-operated platform in advancing the cause of Malayalam Cinema.
Chief Minister Vijayan emphasized that CSpace represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Malayalam Cinema, prioritizing content that reflects artistic and cultural values over commercial considerations. He highlighted the platform’s multifaceted objective of preserving and promoting the Malayalam language through quality content.
Unlike private OTT platforms driven primarily by profit motives, CSpace aims to showcase content that celebrates the rich cultural heritage and linguistic diversity of Kerala. By providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work without commercial constraints, CSpace seeks to nurture and elevate the Malayalam film industry.
The launch of CSpace is expected to open up new opportunities for filmmakers and artists in Kerala, fostering creativity and innovation in the regional film industry. Moreover, it reflects the state government’s commitment to supporting the arts and culture sector as a vital component of Kerala’s identity and heritage.
The incident at Varkala Beach underscores the importance of prioritizing safety measures in coastal areas prone to natural hazards. Meanwhile, the inauguration of CSpace represents a significant milestone in the cultural landscape of Kerala, signaling a new era of creativity and artistic expression in Malayalam Cinema.