Those taken out of the water were admitted to nearby hospitals.
At least 20 people, including women and children, died when a houseboat with around 30 passengers aboard it overturned and sank near Tuvalthiram beach in the Tanur area of Malappuram district in Kerala on Sunday evening, the state government informed.
Sports Minister V Abdurahiman said 20 deaths were confirmed on the basis of information from various hospitals where those pulled out from the water and inside the boat were admitted.
Mr Abdurahiman said many of those who died were women and children who had come for a ride amid the ongoing school vacations.
"More victims are believed to be trapped under the boat and have to be brought out. The boat had overturned. The reason for it is not yet known. Police will be investigating it," he told reporters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in the accident and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the family of victims.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the loss of lives and directed the Malappuram District Collector to carry out a coordinated emergency rescue operation.
Fire and police units, officials from revenue and health departments and locals from Tanur and Tirur areas of the district were involved in the rescue operation, the statement said. It also said ministers Abdurahiman and Riyas would be coordinating the rescue operations.
According to the police, the incident occurred around 7 PM.
Those taken out of the water were admitted to nearby private and government hospitals, it said. The exact cause of the accident was not known at present, police said.
With inputs from agencies