Rajesh and his family had set out to Hogenakkal to enjoy a long weekend. The holiday soon turned into a tragedy. They got into a coracle for a ride and it capsized.

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Rajesh’s three-year-old son Darshan and his mother-in-law drowned. Krishnamoorthy, 60, Ranjith, 35, his wife Kokila, 30, and their 10-month-old daughter Sudhiksha are also missing.

Coracle rides at Hogenakkal are popular but can be fatal as this tragedy proves. Coracles are made of shallow lightweight bamboo boats and riding them in waters usually requires knowledge of swimming.

There are no safety measures that are available on these boats except for lifejackets. Many tourists shun the lifejacket stating it’s cumbersome eventhough it is mandatory. There are also only six people who should get into a coracle at a time. However, because of crowds, sometimes more number of people get in at Hogenakkal.