Kochi, Feb 20 (UNI) Sixteen people, including 13 students and three teachers, on an excursion drowned and six students were feared missing when the boat in which they were travelling capsized at Ovungal Kadavu in the Periyar River today.

According to official sources, there were 37 students in the boat when the mishap occurred. Poor light hampered rescue operations which caused the casualties to rise.

However, rescue operations were on in full swing by local people, police and fire services personnel.

The 118-member excursion team, including ten teachers and two non-teaching staff from St Antony's School, Elavoor, near Angamali, left in three boats to the Thattekkadu Bird Sanctuary when one of boats capsized in the catchment area of the sanctuary at around 1830 hrs.

All the students involved in the mishap were aged below 12 years and studying in standards five to seven.

Naval sources said a 12-member diving team, including one medical assistant, with all equipment had already left to the spot for rescue operations.

Earlier, Ernakulam District Collector A P M Mohammad Haneesh said 20 bodies had been recovered.

Education Minister M A Baby said the government would order an inquiry into the accident and the mode of probe would be decided after discussions with Chief Minister V S Acuthanandan.

He also said the school authorities should follow all security measures while taking students on excursion and the government would issue certain guidelines in this regard.

According to official sources, the ill-fated private boat had no valid licence.

Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and Governor R L Bhatia condoled the deaths.

UNI