At least 10 Indian tourists drowned and 22 were rescued after a boat carrying them capsized in the Bay of Bengal in southern India, police said Monday.

The accident occurred near the village of Manapad in Tamil Nadu state on Sunday evening when groups of tourists were taking joyrides on fishing boats.

‘The boat carrying 32 people was caught in tidal waves and capsized. The victims include six women and three children,’ local police officer S Damodaran told dpa.

Police have ordered an investigation, as leisure boat usage in the area, which is known for rough seas, is prohibited. The victims were also without any life jackets or other safety equipment at the time of the accident.

Fifteen people were also transported to nearby hospitals where they are still being treated.

Every year, scores of people drown in boat tragedies across India, which are mostly blamed on overcrowding, poor maintenance of vessels and lax safety rules.

Last month, 25 people died when a boat sank in the Ganges river in the eastern state of Bihar.

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