Kerala: Freelance journalist dies in a boat accident while covering floods

A boat in which five members of Mathrubhumi channel were travelling capsized on Monday in Mundar. The News Minute reports that while three members were rescued, the body of freelance journalist, KK Saji, was recovered. Search for the fifth person, Bipin Babu, who has worked with Mathrubumi for three years, is still on. The Mathrubhumi team had gone to cover relief camps in Parayil Colony in Mundar, which falls under the Kallara panchayat in Kottayam, and is among the worst hit by rains. “The team was on their way back in a boat when it capsized in the deep end of the Kariyar river. They were able to hold on to the boat for some time, but before the rescue team could come, Bipin and Shaji were swept away by strong currents,” states TNM report. Meanwhile, the image released by Mathrubumi shows that none of the members were wearing a life jacket, highlighting once again how safety concerns often take a backseat for media professionals when covering conflict or natural disaster.