Two tourist couples from Uttar Pradesh escaped unhurt after a moored houseboat sank at Kumarakom in the early hours of Friday. The houseboat was anchored at Cheepunkal near Kumarakom when crew members noticed water entering the vessel around 3 am. The tourists were immediately evacuated, police said.

Within half an hour, the boat sank completely. Authorities suspect that a leakage in the hull might have caused the accident. The tourists were later shifted to another boat, police added. Cops have launched a probe into whether the houseboat was operated despite technical issues, thereby endangering the lives of tourists.

Houseboats operating in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts are not permitted to move at night and must remain docked, with tourists staying onboard.