Tragedy struck the Arayan Kadappuram Juma Masjid in Parappanangadi when a series of graves were dug side by side for 11 members of the Kunnummal family. The incident left the community and the entire neighborhood in a state of shock and grief.
Among those devastated by the loss was Saidalavi, a grief-stricken father who tragically lost his four daughters, Fida Dilna (8), Shamna (17), Shahla (12), and Hasna (18), as well as his wife Seenath (42), all in a matter of hours. The bodies of the 11 family members, which included his sisters-in-law and their children, were brought to Saidalavi’s house, where the foundation for their new home had been laid. It was a poignant scene as the bodies were placed on the unfinished foundation for the public to pay their respects.
The Kunnummal family had been going through a difficult time financially. They were in the midst of building a new home, but due to financial constraints, only the foundation had been completed. The family of nine, including the husbands of the deceased women, their mother, and sister, had been living in a small, dilapidated house while struggling to make ends meet. Their plight was known to those living in the vicinity, who admired their resilience and hard work despite the challenges they faced.
The tragedy unfolded when the family decided to visit Thooval Theeram, a nearby tourist spot, at the insistence of the children. The women, who were housewives, accompanied their husbands, who worked in the fishing sector. One of the husbands had briefly returned from the outing, but upon hearing the heartbreaking news, he rushed back to find the bodies of his loved ones being recovered from the water.
The emotional impact of the incident reverberated through the community. Parappanangadi municipality’s deputy chairperson, Shaharbanu, expressed the incomprehensible nature of the tragedy and the deep sorrow felt by the surviving members of the Kunnummal family. The decision to bring the bodies to the unfinished home was made at the request of the women’s mother-in-law, adding another layer of heartbreak to the already devastating situation.
The entire neighborhood mourned the loss of the Kunnummal family, and the tragedy served as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of supporting one another in times of hardship. The community came together to provide solace and assistance to the grieving family, offering whatever support they could during their darkest hours.
The heartbreaking incident at Arayan Kadappuram Juma Masjid serves as a somber reminder of the preciousness of life and the significance of unity and compassion in the face of adversity. The memories of the Kunnummal family will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew them, and their tragic story serves as a call for solidarity and empathy within the community.