Kochi: Passenger boat rams into Viraat; no casualties

A Kerala state owned boat ferrying about 100 passengers rammed into aircraft carrier INS Viraat in Kochi, naval sources said on Monday.

However, no one was injured and there was no damage to Viraat, which is here as part of its periodic and scheduled maintenance, the sources said.

The incident occurred on Sunday as German cruise liner Celebrity Solistice, which had arrived in Kochi on Saturday with about 2800 tourists and 1250 crew, was about to embark on its journey for Port Klang, Malaysia.

The boat driver said he was unaware of the presence of the cruise liner, which also allegedly failed to sound a siren before starting its journey, Kerala State Water Transport Department sources said.

It is suspected the boat got caught in waves generated by propellers of the liner and rammed into the naval vessel.

The boat was on its way to Ernakulam jetty from Fort Kochi.

The KSWTD has ordered an enquiry. INS Viraat will be in Kochi for a few months