IFJ mourns deaths of media staff in a boat accident in India

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 27 July 2018

The International Federation of Journalists mourns the loss of two media staff members in a boat accident in Kerala, India. They were part of a crew covering monsoon relief efforts when their boat capsized.

Summary

BRUSSELS - Journalist KK Saji and driver Bibin Babu, working for the local television Mathrubhumi News, died on assignment after their boat capsized on July 23 in Kerala, India.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expresses serious concerns over the unsafe condition in which journalists and media staff are forced to perform their reporting assignments. The IFJ urges the media houses to ensure the implementation of minimum safety standards.

The victims, part of a four-member crew of the Mathrubhumi News were returning from a reporting assignment in Mundur, an area completely cut off from the mainland due to floods, where they had to cover the conditions of monsoon-affected people in a relief camp.

The accident happened in the Kariya river. Locals rescued bureau chief KB Sreedharan, cameraman Abhilash S Nair, and ferryman Abhilash. However, Saji, 46, and Babu, 27, were swept away by a strong current. Their bodies were found a day later on July 24.

Saji worked as a stringer and leaves behind a wife and two children while Babu was employed as a driver for the TV station which he joined five years ago.

The IFJ said: “The IFJ is saddened by the death of Saji and Babu and we present our condolences to the families of the deceased colleagues and standing in solidarity with the journalists’ community in India. The incident is a sad reminder of safety risks that journalists and media staff take on a daily basis to inform their community.” - IFJ media release

KEY POINTS:

• KK Saji and Bibin Babu died in a boat accident on July 23 in Kerala.
• The IFJ calls for better safety standards for journalists during assignments.
• The accident occurred while they were covering flood conditions in Mundur.
• Saji and Babu's bodies were recovered a day after the incident.
• The IFJ expresses condolences to the families of the victims.