Close shave for German tourists in Fort Kochi after Chinese fishing net platform collapses

Kochi: A group of German tourists narrowly escaped tragedy in Fort Kochi after the wooden platform of a Chinese fishing net (Cheenavala) at Vasco Da Gama Square collapsed, plunging seven of them, including women, into the 15-foot-deep backwaters near the Kochi seamouth.

The accident occurred when the tourists, who were visiting the heritage sites as part of a group of around 20, accompanied by a North Indian tour guide, climbed onto the unstable platform despite repeated warnings from residents about its decayed condition.

Local fishermen and residents rushed to the scene after hearing the crash and rescued all seven tourists before strong currents could pull them into the deeper, fast-moving shipping channel of Cochin Port. No serious injuries were reported, though some tourists suffered scratches and lost personal belongings, including one person's mobile phone.

According to Fire and Rescue officials in Mattancherry, the situation could have turned fatal within minutes. "By the time we reached, the locals had already pulled them out. Fortunately, it was not high tide, and the currents were mild. The tourists stayed afloat by holding onto the platform's legs. If the undercurrents were strong, they might have been swept into the sea. It would have been a tragedy," a fire and rescue official said.

Residents said the tourists, unfamiliar with the wooden structure's fragile condition, climbed the platform under their tour guide's direction, who was unaware of the risks. "Local guides would never allow this. Tourists often get excited to watch how the nets operate, and some fishermen invite them for tips. But this practice must stop. The nets are too weak and dangerous," said a local tour guide.

The incident comes just two days after Tourism Department officials instructed fishermen to resume long-pending restoration work on the iconic nets, which have suffered years of neglect. Local stakeholders said the collapse is a direct consequence of repeated administrative delays and insufficient maintenance.

Antony Kureethra, councillor of Fort Kochi division, said the accident was "the result of years of absolute neglect" by both Kochi Corporation and the Tourism Department. "The Chinese fishing nets are an international symbol of Fort Kochi. For years, fishermen and guides have been demanding proper restoration. Teak logs specially procured from Kothamangalam for repairing the cantilever structure were lying abandoned on the beach. There used to be around 20 nets here; now only 11 remain because of this indifference," he said.

Fort Kochi police have since registered a case against Geo KS (44), the operator of the collapsed net, and its owner, Johnson VJ (67), stating that they knowingly endangered public safety. "They allowed tourists onto the unstable platform to collect money without ensuring any safety measures. If not for the swift rescue by local fishermen, this could have been a major tragedy. The tourists did not file any complaint," said Fort Kochi police.

Fort Kochi SHO Faizal said all operators have now been strictly barred from letting tourists onto the wooden platforms. "These nets are meant for fishing. They are unstable and poorly maintained. Any operator who allows tourists on them will be booked. We have convened a meeting of all operators," he said.

The restoration project for the Chinese fishing nets, one of Kerala's most iconic heritage structures, was first conceived in 2015 with a budget of ₹1.5 crore. Years of bureaucratic delays pushed the cost to ₹2.20 crore by 2022, and it eventually increased to ₹2.44 crore. Of the 11 existing nets, only three have been fully restored using fresh timber. Six continue to function using iron bars instead of traditional wooden components, compromising both safety and heritage value. Two nets survive only as coconut-log foundation pillars.

Adding to the delays, KITCO, entrusted with project implementation, failed to reimburse fishermen nearly ₹15 lakh they personally spent restoring three nets, causing the restoration work to stall for months.

On Wednesday, in an effort to revive the project, Tourism Department officials instructed fishermen to restart work on the eight pending nets and allocated an additional ₹30 lakh. The department and KITCO have also signed an agreement to ensure the immediate release of pending funds, aiming to finally resolve the financial deadlock that has long plagued the restoration.

Local residents say the collapse should serve as a wake-up call. Had the fishermen been even a few minutes late, they insist, the accident could have ended in disaster.