Asia

10 dead after boat capsizes off Sri Lanka's southwest coast

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Sri Lankan's watch the rescue operation from the shore after a boat capsized off the country's southwestern coast in Beruwala, 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) (The Associated Press)

Sri Lanka's navy and rescue boats are seen engaged in rescue operation after a boat capsized in the Indian Ocean off the country's southwestern coast in Beruwala, 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) (The Associated Press)

Sri Lankan's watch the rescue operation from the shore after a boat capsized off the country's southwestern coast in Beruwala, 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) (The Associated Press)

Sri Lankan police say at least 10 people were killed and seven others were rescued after the boat they were traveling in capsized off the country's southwestern coast.

Police spokesman Priyantha Jayakody says the boat was among 19 that took part in a religious festival procession Sunday from the fishing town of Beruwala, around 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of the capital, Colombo. The tragedy occurred when the boats were returning from the festival.

It is unclear how many people were traveling in the boat and the search for more survivors is ongoing.