16 Indians killed in Qatar boat mishap

Sixteen indians are among 30 people feared dead after their vessel capsized off the coast of Qatar during a ferry to an oil rig.

Sixteen indians are among 30 people feared dead after their vessel capsized off the coast of Qatar during a ferry to an oil rig.

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Five people, including three Indians, have been rescued after the boat Damas Victory sank about two nautical miles off Doha at around 6.30 am local time on Tuesday, said Indian embassy officials in Qatar.

The vessel, belonging to Dubai-based Demas Marine and hired by Qatar firm HBK Power Cleaning, had 35 people, including 19 Indians, on board when it sank during a supply ferry to an oil rig, they said.

So far seven bodies have been recovered by Qatar Coast Guard but it is not immediately clear whether any Indian was among them, the officials said. “Rescue operations are underway and five people, including three Indians, have been saved,” an official said.

The rescued Indians have been identified as Balakrishnan Velayudhan, Jaison Verghese and Prabhu Chellam.